Energy and mass flow analysis of batteries used in electric vehicles

The main difference between conventional and electric vehicles is between the drive system and energy storage. Especially the batteries play an important role within the life cycle assessment of electric vehicles. Based on our work within the ''Rugen project'' under contract with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology we have derived full energy and mass flow analysis for the production, supply, and recycling of four types of batteries (lead/acid, Ni/Cd, Na/NiCl2 and Na/S). The balances were made in accordance with the present state of the discussion concerning the standardization of life cycle assessments (ISO DIS 14040) (''from cradle to grave'', e.g.) and considering the following impact categories: Resource demand, greenhouse effect, ozon depletion, acidification, eutrophication, human and ecotoxicity, and photosmog. Our approaches to solve problems concerning the balancing will be discussed and the most important results of the balancing of energy and material flows of battery life cycles will be presented.