Sarah O'Donell
Recycling batteries may be a challenge, but finding a “second life” for them in less demanding applications is a much simpler process. Not only does this solve a multitude of problems, but it also presents an exciting opportunity.
It’s undeniable that the volume of used electric car batteries to deal with will eventually be staggering. Electric cars now account for 16 percent of the global market, with even higher numbers in Europe and China, surpassing all expectations. When you factor in batteries for buses, trucks, and motorbikes, the world is producing large-scale batteries at an astonishing rate, which will eventually require proper management.
However, the first misconception is how quickly this problem will escalate. Initially, the quoted lifetime of an electric car battery was five years. With electric car sales surpassing the 5 percent threshold in 2021 (6.7 million), it seemed like a massive volume would be coming our way soon. However, batteries are proving to last longer than anticipated, with an average replacement timeframe of 8-10 years in most cases. Furthermore, new technologies may extend their lifespan even further for future generations of cars.
Nevertheless, this only delays the problem. If the obvious solution is to recycle batteries back to their raw materials, we are far from ready. The world’s track record with smaller batteries for phones and laptops is not encouraging. In 2021, the BBC reported that only around 5 percent of these batteries are currently being recycled. Most batteries are not designed for easy dismantling and separation, making recycling a complex task.
However, electric vehicle batteries need to maintain close to their initial capacity to operate effectively. If a car battery can only store 70 percent of its initial energy, the distance it can travel before needing a recharge is significantly reduced. Strapping additional batteries to the vehicle to restore the original range is not a practical solution.
However, this is not the case for bulk storage of electricity. Second life batteries used for grid storage can harness solar power during the day and use it during peak evening demand. If these batteries have lost a third of their capacity during their time in an electric vehicle, a simple solution is to use three batteries instead of two.
There are still some obstacles to overcome. Banks of batteries work best when they are as similar as possible in composition and usage history. Companies exploring second life storage are researching ways to test and sort batteries to maximize their effectiveness when combined.
Nevertheless, when it comes to engineering problems, this appears to be one of the easier ones to solve. Second life batteries may not solve the long-term storage challenge for renewable energy during periods of low sunlight and wind, but they can certainly help replace gas peaker plants for evening use, significantly reducing fossil fuel consumption.
Currently, the industry is facing a shortage of expired batteries rather than an excess, leading to increased demand and higher prices. The cost of second life batteries has even surpassed that of new ones straight from the factory to the car. Those seeking used batteries for grid storage of renewables must compete with buyers redirecting them to boats, off-grid houses, and second-hand cars with short commutes.
Eventually, batteries will become so worn out that they will no longer be suitable for a second or even third life. At that point, recycling will be the only option. However, since most second life uses are expected to degrade batteries at a slower rate than driving, that day is likely far in the future.
