Decarbonising Road Transport Beyond Mining-Intensive Pathways

This study examines how the EU can reduce demand for critical battery raw materials such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, manganese, and copper in the transition to battery-electric passenger cars. Based on a literature review and expert interviews, five measures were selected for detailed analysis: recycling, downsizing, energy efficiency, modal shift, and travel avoidance. The findings show that recycling can substantially reduce primary material demand, while downsizing and efficiency measures can lower material use per vehicle, and mobility-related measures can further decrease overall demand. Overall, the report demonstrates that policy choices can significantly reduce demand for critical raw materials, thereby limiting environmental impacts, strengthening supply security, and reducing pressure for mining expansion.