As the world rapidly expands use of electric vehicles, the question of how to handle EV batteries becomes increasingly important. New EV batteries can last about 15 to 20 years with good upkeep. Even though consumers generally get a good return on investment with the battery, it may have potential uses left once it becomes no longer suitable to power an EV.
Deciding how to properly retire an EV battery is a practical matter for EV owners, manufacturers, and other professionals in the industry. With this guide, EV professionals will better understand the common options for EV batteries and how they can help minimize waste and improve sustainability.
Recycling Battery Components
When a battery is completely spent and no longer useful for its intended purpose, recycling is a key task. EV batteries are made from precious metals, such as lithium, cobalt, or nickel. These materials are difficult to source and in limited quantity, especially with the dramatic increase in production of these batteries. The recycling process for EV batteries generally involves accessing these metals and using them for other purposes, such as to create new batteries.
Giving EV Batteries a Second Life
Often, EV professionals try to find a second-life application for used EV batteries instead of recycling. EV owners usually retire the battery once it can no longer reach sufficient distances without frequent re-charging. Although the battery is no longer useful for application in a typical EV, it may still have as much as 80% of its original capacity available. As such, organizations or individuals may be able to reuse or repurpose it.
Reuse: The simplest second-life application for an EV battery is reuse. This approach involves putting the battery to identical use, such as running a golf cart instead of a road-ready EV. Golf cart users do not generally take the vehicle hundreds of miles away, which means that the reduced distance of the battery is less of a challenge. Depending on the age of the battery, there may be many vehicle options that could use it.
Repurpose: Often the most realistic approach for giving an EV battery a second life, repurposing a battery means that it is still used as a battery, but for some other use besides running a vehicle. Batteries with a reduced life may provide appropriate battery storage for various applications, such as:
- Consumer use with a solar system
- Use by utilities to stabilize the grid or provide additional support in high-demand areas
- Off-grid power that can replace generators to some degree
In certain cases, repurposing involves separating the individual battery modules and repackaging them.
Recycling vs. Second-Life
Deciding between recycling and second-life applications involves a discussion of the condition of the battery and its ability to be reused. Generally, EV professionals try to put the battery to the use that requires the least work. Reuse is at the top of the chain, because the battery can be put to work almost immediately. Repurposing is a practical use for batteries that cannot be reused because they are too old or have the wrong chemistry. Recycling is intended for the batteries that have lost practical use.
Challenges to Second-Life Battery Applications
Although reuse or repurposing are the preferred approaches for handling batteries post-EV, these applications face some challenges. A lack of information about battery condition can affect how EV professionals choose an application, while changing technologies and battery chemistry influence demand and the ability to select a particular approach.
Little Oversight on Battery Condition: At present, EV manufacturers and owners are typically not required to collect data about the use and condition of the battery. Battery condition can be a significant factor in choosing the best application, but organizations reusing or repurposing batteries often get access to them with no information. Testing is an option, but it can be expensive.
Rapidly-Innovating Technologies: Rapid innovations in EVs make older batteries a questionable application. As with most new technologies, EV batteries are gradually dropping in cost to produce, which also makes them cheaper to buy. Consumers and businesses looking to reuse or repurpose a battery must confirm that the used EV battery will work for their applications. These approaches may require more investment in battery management solutions.
Different Battery Chemistry: Technology is evolving toward the use of different battery chemistry. Older or current EV batteries are typically made from nickel-manganese-cobalt, which are more appealing to recyclers looking for those metals. Many EV manufacturers are shifting to the use of lithium iron phosphate batteries because they are cheaper to produce. Since these materials are less appealing to recyclers, they may have a better use in repurposing.
Reasons to Implement Recycling or Second-Life Protocols
Since growth in the production of EVs has increased at a quick clip, there are various reasons for EV professionals to consider implementing recycling or second-life protocols for EV batteries. A strong program for EV battery management can improve sustainability, reduce waste, and support the circular battery economy.
Improve Sustainability: With the massive increase in EV manufacturing, reuse of precious metals is key. The planet has a limited supply of these materials, and overuse can lead to higher prices for EVs and supply problems for other industries relying on these metals. Reuse, repurposing, and recycling programs for EVs help to keep demand in check. Steady progress can mean that each battery gets far more than its listed 15 to 20 years of use.
Reduce Waste: With an estimated more than 20 million new EVs on the road in 2025, reducing waste is an important goal. Batteries in good condition can provide practical use for many years beyond their stated lifespan, particularly if they are promptly put to a reuse or repurposing application. Careful implementation of these plans can reduce the waste that ends up in the landfill, while helping to keep EV production prices down.
Support Circular Battery Economy: The circular battery economy is a vital tool in keeping production costs and resource use in check, but it requires regular maintenance. If the supply of batteries for reuse drops, demand for batteries for golf carts and other small motorized vehicles may go up. Promoting the reuse of batteries can keep the supply of equipment for repurposing and recycling in flowing order.
EV batteries may be retired long before their expiration, which highlights the importance of recycling and second-life approaches. The reuse, repurposing, and recycling cycle can increase EV battery use, lower costs, and improve the sustainability of the industry.
