Electric Vehicle
Reusing batteries is the most effective way to recycle materials and reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing. The primary ingredient in current EV batteries is cobalt, but two-thirds of the world’s supply is mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, raising human rights concerns. While other sources of cobalt exist, such as the ocean floor, they pose their own environmental risks and are difficult to mine safely.
While domestic car manufacturers may not have the money to deal with this kind of waste, they are working to develop methods to recover battery components for other uses. One example is using former EV batteries to power factories. Repurposed batteries could be used to power manufacturing facilities. Other EV manufacturers are making investments in battery storage systems for large-scale production. Nissan, for example, is using retired EV batteries to provide back-up power for the Amsterdam Arena, home to the Ajax soccer club.
In the future, former EV batteries could be used to power manufacturing facilities, streets, and other public facilities. This is especially important as the battery packs of electric cars typically outlive the vehicles themselves. The old batteries will no longer be disposed of, but instead are reused for other less-demanding uses. For example, Nissan has started a project to use EV batteries to power the back-up power for the Amsterdam Arena, home of the famous Ajax Football Club.
Reusing Electric Vehicle Batteries
Reusing EV batteries also enables automakers to design EVs with a second life in mind. In December, Nissan announced a partnership with Sumitomo Corporation to use its used Nissan Leaf battery packs for stationary storage systems. Another company, Renault, announced a partnership with several energy sector partners that will lead to the installation of 70 megawatt/60 megawatt-hour used EV battery storage systems in Europe by 2020.
While some automakers have begun recycling and reusing EV batteries, they are still largely untapped. In addition to their use as energy storage, the batteries can also be used as fuel for cars. This method is a great option for electric vehicles in many ways. The costs of manufacturing EV batteries are low, and the NREL is a world leader. They have the ability to provide the raw materials needed for the construction of electricity infrastructure.
The EV battery industry has the opportunity to re-use and recycle their used batteries. A new market could be created for the reclaimed batteries, making them a valuable resource for nations in the developing world. Besides being used in vehicles, reusing and recycling EV batteries have other uses as well. For instance, in the Netherlands, Nissan is already reusing EV batteries for backup power for the Amsterdam Arena, which is home to the Ajax Football Club.