Canada has everything it needs to be a global leader in EV assembly and battery manufacturing right here at home. Projects are underway or planned across the entire battery value chain.
The battery value chain for automotive and transportation captures the step-by-step process to produce the batteries that are needed in the industrial transformation and the electrification of the automotive and transportation sectors. The battery value chain provides the base for a "mines to mobility" approach to developing a sustainable Canadian battery ecosystem. It will help ensure that Canada reaps the full economic benefits of producing EVs and batteries.
Check out Projects: Strategic Response Fund for information on some of the investments that are supported by the Government of Canada.
Mineral exploration and mining
Raw materials are extracted to create lithium-ion batteries, which are used in EVs. The minerals needed are:
- lithium
- cobalt
- nickel
- graphite
- manganese
- copper
- iron
- aluminum
Metal processing and precursors
Raw materials are transformed into battery-grade mineral concentrates or intermediate products, known as precursors. Precursors are the key inputs for the manufacturing of cathodes and anodes, the active materials essential to the production of battery cells used in EVs.
Battery components, cells and pack manufacturing
Cathodes and anodes, as well as other components like electrolytes, copper foil and separators, are moulded to form individual cells. These cells are then packed into modules to construct a lithium-ion battery pack.
Manufacturing of electric vehicles
Modules or battery packs are sent to manufacturers to assemble EVs.
Material recycling and circular economy
When the lithium-ion battery reaches its limits of usefulness in an EV, it can be repurposed for use in other applications, such as stationary energy storage, before finally reaching end-of-life. At this stage, the batteries are recycled to recover and reprocess valuable metals and materials, making them suitable to be fed back into manufacturing of new batteries materials ensuring a sustainable and green value chain.