Debating the Merits: Should Old Electric Vehicle Batteries be Recycled or Repurposed?
The second-life strategy, which involves repurposing electric vehicle (EV) batteries after their primary use in vehicles, is proving to be a valuable approach in extending their useful life. One Aachen-based startup, Voltfang, specializes in this field of second-life applications for EV batteries.
Researchers from the University of Münster, Fraunhofer Institute, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are investigating the economic viability of recycling and reusing old EV batteries. Their study takes into account transport routes and processing processes, and they have published their findings on uni-muenster.de and acs.org.
Advantages of Reuse
Reusing old EV batteries for stationary power storage, such as for solar plants, offers several advantages. By repurposing used EV batteries for grid energy storage, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced more effectively than through recycling alone. Additionally, reuse saves additional carbon emissions by offsetting the need for new battery production immediately.
Reuse also supports renewable energy integration, peak load management, and energy security. For instance, a study in California found that reuse could save around 56 million tons of CO2 by 2050, compared to 48 million tons saved by recycling.
Disadvantages of Reuse
However, batteries will still eventually need recycling after their second life ends. Reusing old EV batteries requires infrastructure and systems for testing, repurposing, and deployment in stationary systems. The demand for stationary storage capacity relative to the volume of retired batteries is also a limiting factor.
Advantages of Recycling
Recycling old EV batteries has its own merits. It recovers valuable raw materials, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, for new battery production. This reduces the need for mining, lowering the environmental impact over the full battery lifecycle. Life-cycle analyses show that recycling emits 58-81% less greenhouse gases and uses significantly less water and energy compared to mining new materials.
Disadvantages of Recycling
Immediate recycling foregoes the potential emissions savings that could be achieved by a second life. Recycling processes can still be energy-intensive and have environmental impacts, though less than mining. Infrastructure must be developed and scaled to handle the growing volume of end-of-life batteries.
Carbon Emissions Savings Comparison
The study indicates that prioritizing reuse before recycling yields greater carbon emissions savings. In California, reuse could save around 56 million tons of CO2 by 2050, while immediate recycling could save 48 million tons.
A Combined Approach
A combined approach, prioritizing reuse to maximize emissions savings and extend resource use, followed by recycling when reuse is no longer viable, is the best environmental strategy. This leverages the circular economy principle, and authorities are advised to develop recycling infrastructure alongside reuse pathways.
Second-life applications for EV batteries include stationary storage for solar or wind energy in households or power grids. Second-life installations already exist in Europe, such as at the Roman airport and the Porsche plant Leipzig. Lithium-iron-phosphate batteries are particularly suitable for second-life applications due to their lower raw material requirement.
As the demand for stationary storage is met, more recycling material will accumulate. Scientists recommend investing in the expansion of recycling infrastructure early on to handle this growing volume. Export restrictions on raw materials, such as lithium, are a concern in the global electric vehicle battery market, with China dominating the market.
In conclusion, a combined approach that prioritizes reuse to maximize emissions savings and extend resource use, followed by recycling when reuse is no longer viable, is the best environmental strategy for managing end-of-life EV batteries. This approach adheres to the principles of a circular economy and is advised for authorities and stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry.
- The economic viability of recycling and reusing old EV batteries is under investigation by researchers, with a focus on transport routes and processing processes.
- Reusing old EV batteries for stationary power storage can offer significant carbon emissions savings and support renewable energy integration.
- Recycling old EV batteries recovers valuable raw materials and reduces the need for mining, lowering the environmental impact over the full battery lifecycle.
- A combined approach that prioritizes reuse to maximize emissions savings and extend resource use, followed by recycling when reuse is no longer viable, is the most environmentally sustainable strategy for managing end-of-life EV batteries.
