Key issues in electric vehicle battery supply chains based on English-language news articles: a machine learning approach

Abstract

• EV battery supply chains face challenges in manufacturing, recycling, and capacity. • Policy and innovation drive EV battery supply chain growth in key global regions. • Raw material shortages strain EV battery supply chains, needing sustainable solutions. • Circular economy aids EV battery supply chains in tackling waste and material reuse. • Machine learning reveals trends reshaping EV battery supply chain operations. The global transition to clean energy has placed the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain at the center of sustainability, innovation, and economic development. This study presents the first systematic analysis of public discourse on the EV battery supply chain using web mining and natural language processing (NLP) techniques. Analyzing 667 news articles with machine learning algorithms such as PCA and t-SNE, the study identifies core issues shaping the sector, including manufacturing, capacity expansion, and recycling, all driven by surging EV demand and circular economy pressures. Key emerging themes include strategic growth, technological advancement, and policy support, with countries like Canada and those in Europe positioning themselves as leaders. The findings highlight critical dependencies on materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, underscoring the need for coordinated strategies to ensure sustainable, resilient supply chains. This research offers foundational insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders advancing the global shift to electric mobility.