Electric vehicles have long been seen as a viable way to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Instead of relying on non-renewable fossil fuels, electric vehicles or EVs are powered by rechargeable batteries. These batteries obviously make EVs much more environmentally friendly than their traditional counterparts, but they still need to be produced as efficiently and ethically as possible. Like most batteries, EV batteries are made of materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite. Mining for these minerals often has a negative environmental impact, and their supply chain can easily be disrupted by geopolitics and changing trade alliances between countries. Fortunately, EV batteries can be recycled when they reach the end of their lives, creating a circular EV battery economy that helps close mineral supply gaps and reduces our reliance on mining.
How It Works
Most rechargeable EV batteries last between 10 and 20 years, but they still have between 70 and 80 percent of their capacity once they can no longer power an electric vehicle's drivetrain. This means that they can be repurposed at least once for other energy storage applications. They can also be dismantled, and their raw materials can be used in other applications, including manufacturing new EV batteries.
Recycling EV batteries could become a viable way to create a strong circular economy as electric vehicles become more popular, but obstacles still need to be overcome. For starters, recycling EV batteries is an expensive process, and it is currently cheaper to mine for new materials than to recycle old ones. There are also very few EV battery manufacturers in the United States that can use materials from recycled batteries, although that could change if EV battery recycling becomes more widespread.
It may take some time before EV battery recycling becomes the norm, but the idea of creating a circular economy that doesn't rely on often destructive mining practices is attractive. Hopefully, we'll find a way to achieve the goal of a circular EV economy sooner rather than later.
If you're interested in a new electric vehicle or want to know more about EV battery recycling, contact us today! With 103 franchises across 10 states, we may have a dealership close to you that has the perfect electric vehicle for your needs.