Second life: what you need to know about EV battery recycling

Recycling EV batteries is crucial for minimizing environmental impact and conserving valuable resources. But EV battery recycling introduces significant challenges, leading to a high number of batteries getting discarded. Despite the fact that up to 95% of lithium-ion batteries can be retrieved, only 5% of EV batteries are currently being recycled. 

This creates environmental concerns and potential resource wastage. To address these challenges and create a sustainable EV battery recycling loop, the automotive industry is actively looking for innovative solutions that could give EV batteries a second life.

The enigma of EV battery recycling

One of the primary obstacles in recycling batteries that have run their course is the high costs involved in the process. The complex nature of battery components and the need for specialized equipment make recycling quite expensive. As a result, only a small percentage of EV batteries are actually recycled, contributing to environmental pollution and resource depletion. 

Another challenge is the lack of standardized procedures for assessing the remaining capacity of EV batteries, while the lack of a truly circular economy represents the third significant barrier in EV battery recycling. As a result, the potential these batteries have for multiple re-usage cycles might be slower to take off, as the automotive industry continues to develop solutions.

Generating longer lifespans

Establishing efficient methods for evaluating and repurposing batteries is crucial for maximizing their lifespan before they are discarded. One such solution is up-cycling used EV ion batteries into multi-purpose, affordable, and sustainable "betteries" that are smaller, lighter and designed with a strong impermeable casing for improved handling and transportation. 

Another approach involves repurposing EV battery modules for energy storage. By refabricating the modules and using a hydrometallurgy process for dismantling, valuable materials can be recovered and utilized. This not only reduces waste but also minimizes the need for new battery production, resulting in reduced CO₂ emissions.

Closing the circle

The role of the circular economy in EV battery recycling is also critical for achieving sustainability, reducing waste and preserving valuable resources. In a circular economy, materials and products are kept in circulation for as long as possible, reducing the need for resource extraction and waste generation.

To contribute to a circular economy and support sustainability goals, automotive stakeholders and OEMs are investing in the development of efficient recycling processes which can maximize battery lifespan and promote reusing or repurposing battery components. The increasing focus on EV battery recycling by OEMs reflects their commitment to sustainable practices and the desire to create a closed-loop system for battery materials.

As EV adoption continues to rise, EV battery recycling is becoming an important step in building a sustainable future. By investing in recycling infrastructure and moving towards a circular economy, OEMs are playing a crucial role in improving recycling technologies and establishing standardized procedures for assessing battery reuse to maximize the lifespan of EV batteries before they fully expire.