The battery is one of the key elements of the engine of an electric vehicle, and also the most delicate part. Furthermore, it is one of the most important parts when it comes to the reuse or recycling of the components.
Over time, and as technology has improved, the principal manufacturers within the automotive sector have developed batteries that are smaller, more powerful, and that have greater capacity, which means that they are now able to offer electric cars with increased range.
Manufacturers estimate that average battery life is between 8 and 10 years, and are currently researching the optimal way to recycle or reuse batteries once they are no longer in service.
And how about giving old electric vehicle batteries a new life?
Recovery of raw materials that pollute
One of the main initiatives in the recycling of electric car batteries is the recovery of the pure raw materials they contain, such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, so that these can be used in creating new batteries. In this way, manufacturers also contribute to the reduction of the CO2 emissions generated during the extraction of some of these components.
Re-use for other purposes
Other manufacturers in the sector are obliged to reuse the batteries once they have been removed from the cars.
Using them as recharging systems for other electric cars, reconditioning them for use as batteries in electric boats or in forklifts and tractors in car factories are some of the options chosen by the main electric car manufacturers to give these batteries a new life. In Japan, for example, some manufacturers reuse batteries to power traffic lights and streetlamps.
Click here for more information on how to give electric car batteries a second life.
Recycle or reuse?
Research suggests that reusing electric car batteries is a simpler process than removing or destroying their components, as recycling is a more complex and expensive process.
According to a study carried out by IDtechEX, 7.8 million tonnes of electric vehicle batteries will reach the end of their useful life each year.
For this reason, it is becoming increasingly necessary to invest in infrastructure that will allow the recycling and reuse of the most polluting components of these batteries once they are no longer in service.
