IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/hal/journl/halshs-04381144.html
   My bibliography  Save this paper

Electric batteries and critical materials dependency: a geopolitical analysis of the USA and the European Union

Author

Listed:
  • Bruno Jetin

    (Universiti Brunei Darussalam, CEPN - Centre d'Economie de l'Université Paris Nord - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Université Sorbonne Paris Nord)

Abstract

This article estimates the import dependency of the USA and the European Union on the raw materials needed to produce batteries that equip Electric Vehicles. The dependency is very high on many critical materials and on batteries themselves. In a geopolitical context marked by the rising US-China rivalry and new cold wars, it has prompted the USA and the EU to support local mining and processing of critical materials in an attempt to recover their strategic autonomy. They have also deployed raw material diplomacy to secure access to resource-rich countries by favouring allied countries whenever possible. Both decisions are difficult to implement, and progress is slow. China's dominance over the electric battery is difficult to circumscribe, especially since the USA, with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), does not hesitate to defend its interests at the expense of the EU. The result is a politicisation of business, forcing global production networks to align themselves with the opposing blocs.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Jetin, 2023. "Electric batteries and critical materials dependency: a geopolitical analysis of the USA and the European Union," Post-Print halshs-04381144, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-04381144
    DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2023.10059315
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-04381144v1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-04381144v1/document
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1504/IJATM.2023.10059315?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daina Paulikas & Steven Katona & Erika Ilves & Saleem H. Ali, 2022. "Deep‐sea nodules versus land ores: A comparative systems analysis of mining and processing wastes for battery‐metal supply chains," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(6), pages 2154-2177, December.
    2. Tommaso Pardi, 2021. "Prospects and contradictions of the electrification of the European automotive industry: the role of European Union policy," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 21(3), pages 162-179.
    3. Bruno Jetin, 2020. "Who will control the electric vehicle market?," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 20(2), pages 156-177.
    4. Marc Alochet & Christophe Midler, 2019. "Reorienting electric mobility research focus on industrialisation issues," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 19(3/4), pages 229-256.
    5. John D. Graham & John A. Rupp & Eva Brungard, 2021. "Lithium in the Green Energy Transition: The Quest for Both Sustainability and Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-23, October.
    6. Tommaso Pardi, 2021. "Prospects and contradictions of the electrification of the European automotive industry: the role of European Union policy," Post-Print hal-03102947, HAL.
    7. Graciela Irma Bensusàn Areous & Alex Covarrubias Valdenebro & Ines González Nicolas, 2022. "The USMCA and the Mexican automobile industry: Towards a new labor model?," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 22(1), pages 128-144.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Petr Pavlínek, 2023. "Transition of the automotive industry towards electric vehicle production in the east European integrated periphery," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 50(1), pages 35-73, February.
    2. Liane Pinho Santos & João F. Proença, 2022. "Developing Return Supply Chain: A Research on the Automotive Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-24, May.
    3. Calabrese, G.G. & Falavigna, G. & Ippoliti, R., 2024. "Innovation policy and corporate finance: The Italian automotive supply chain and its transition to Industry 4.0," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 46(2), pages 336-353.
    4. Szalavetz, Andrea, 2022. "Transition to electric vehicles in Hungary: A devastating crisis or business as usual?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    5. Xiong, Su & Luo, Rong, 2023. "Investigating the relationship between digital trade, natural resources, energy transition, and green productivity: Moderating role of R&D investment," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    6. Costin Radu Boldea & Bogdan Ion Boldea & Tiberiu Iancu, 2023. "The Pandemic Waves’ Impact on the Crude Oil Price and the Rise of Consumer Price Index: Case Study for Six European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-15, April.
    7. Hwang, Young Kyu & Díez, Ángeles Sánchez & Inglesi-Lotz, Roula, 2024. "The effects of critical mineral endowments on green economic growth in Latin America," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    8. Xingxing Wang & Yujie Zhang & Hongjun Ni & Shuaishuai Lv & Fubao Zhang & Yu Zhu & Yinnan Yuan & Yelin Deng, 2022. "Influence of Different Ambient Temperatures on the Discharge Performance of Square Ternary Lithium-Ion Batteries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-22, July.
    9. Elsayed Mousa & Xianfeng Hu & Ludvig Ånnhagen & Guozhu Ye & Antonella Cornelio & Ario Fahimi & Elza Bontempi & Patrizia Frontera & Charlotte Badenhorst & Ana Cláudia Santos & Karen Moreira & Alexandra, 2022. "Characterization and Thermal Treatment of the Black Mass from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-21, December.
    10. Deberdt, Raphael & James, Cara B.G., 2024. "Self-governance at depth: The international seabed authority and verification culture of the deep-sea mining industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    11. Tomáš Formánek & Radek Tahal, 2020. "Socio-Demographic Aspects Affecting Individual Stances towards Electric and Hybrid Vehicles in the Czech Republic," Central European Business Review, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2020(2), pages 78-93.
    12. Houssam, Nourhane & Ibrahiem, Dalia M. & El-Aasar, Khadiga M., 2024. "Insights from the N11 economies on drivers of the clean energy transition," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    13. Christophe Midler & Marc Alochet, 2023. "When regulations shape the future of an industry, the case of the high voltage battery," Post-Print hal-04303575, HAL.
    14. Paul, Debashri & Pechancová, Viera & Saha, Nabanita & Pavelková, Drahomíra & Saha, Nibedita & Motiei, Marjan & Jamatia, Thaiskang & Chaudhuri, Mainak & Ivanichenko, Anna & Venher, Mariana & Hrbáčková,, 2024. "Life cycle assessment of lithium-based batteries: Review of sustainability dimensions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    15. Laene Oliveira Soares & Augusto da Cunha Reis & Pedro Senna Vieira & Luis Hernández-Callejo & Ronney Arismel Mancebo Boloy, 2023. "Electric Vehicle Supply Chain Management: A Bibliometric and Systematic Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-26, February.
    16. Díaz Paz, Walter Fernando & Escosteguy, Melisa & Seghezzo, Lucas & Hufty, Marc & Kruse, Eduardo & Iribarnegaray, Martín Alejandro, 2023. "Lithium mining, water resources, and socio-economic issues in northern Argentina: We are not all in the same boat," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    17. Bruno Jetin, 2021. "Trade linkages and supply chains of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and vaccines in ASEAN during the COVID-19 pandemic," Post-Print hal-03471905, HAL.
    18. Jiehui Yuan & Zhihong Liu & Ting Zhou & Xiaoming Tang & Juan Yuan & Wenli Yuan, 2023. "Sustainable Development of Lithium-Based New Energy in China from an Industry Chain Perspective: Risk Analysis and Policy Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-16, May.
    19. Gracia, Manuel & Paz, María J. & Rísquez, Mario, 2024. "Analysis of the transition to electric vehicles in Europe from a core-periphery approach," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 652-663.
    20. Ozturk, Ilhan & Razzaq, Asif & Sharif, Arshian & Yu, Zhengsen, 2023. "Investigating the impact of environmental governance, green innovation, and renewable energy on trade-adjusted material footprint in G20 countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PA).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-04381144. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: CCSD (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.