Avoided Emissions Rank High Among EV Benefits 

Dec. 5, 2024

The benefits of battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) were top of mind as world leaders discussed critical climate and other environmental issues at this year’s U.N. Climate Change Conference. 

The event, also known as COP 29 (Conference of the Parties), in Baku, Azerbaijan, brought together experts and elected officials from around the globe to talk about how to address the climate crisis, such as limiting the global temperature rise, helping vulnerable communities adapt to the effects of climate change, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.  

Transitioning to EVs is one way to address emissions and air quality.  

Land, air and sea transportation still rely heavily internal combustion engines (ICEs) and produced roughly 8.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO₂e) in 2023.  

This accounted for approximately 16 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that year, making transportation the second-largest source of emissions worldwide, according to Statistica. 

Lithium is an essential component in the battery of EVs manufactured and sold globally.  

As noted in Albemarle’s 2023 Sustainability Report, the emissions Albemarle generates to produce lithium directly contribute to reduced life cycle emissions in the automotive industry.  

The use-phase emissions of an EV are much lower than that of an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV).  

Therefore, over the life cycle of a vehicle, EVs have a lower carbon footprint than internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV).  

An average EV sedan breaks even with an average ICEV sedan in terms of emissions at 34,000 kilometers driven and emits 47% less GHGs over the vehicle’s life cycle, assuming the 2023 global electricity grid (~30% renewable). 

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint across our operations while meeting the automotive industry’s demand for lithium to enable the transition to low-carbon mobility. 

As we work toward a more resilient world, Albemarle is proud to play a part in reducing emissions in mobility.