A study suggests cutting demand for electric-vehicle batteries may reduce greenhouse-gas emissions more than improving manufacturing processes. The research team analysed lithium-ion battery emissions for EVs and energy storage systems through 2050, projecting demand could rise as much as 20-fold and supply-chain emissions about 10-fold. Supply-chain measures could cut the per-battery footprint 34 percent by 2050, while demand-management strategies could cut 2024-2050 emissions by 6.0 to 7.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

As electrification technologies such as solar power and electric vehicles spread, the yardstick for global energy security is changing, an analysis said. The focus is shifting from stable imports of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas to securing generation equipment and power grids and diversifying supply chains. Energy strategist Michael Barnard said electrification is reshaping energy dependence among countries, with examples cited from Pakistan, Europe and Africa.