To support both the requirements of a scalable EU battery supply chain and the reduction of carbon emissions across the lifecycle, it is important to increase knowledge about the potential and reality of battery recycling.
Reduce, reuse, recycle: understanding the zero-emission vehicle industry
Reduce, reuse, recycle: understanding the zero-emission vehicle industry
Evie Cleden, Event Producer | International EV Battery 2023
One of the biggest ongoing challenges for electric vehicle manufacturers today is growing and supporting an efficient battery supply chain. Councilor Philip Dunne, Chair of the 2021 Environmental Audit Committee, said:
“It is welcome news that the Government is acting on the Committee’s recommendations to strengthen the supply chain for battery electric vehicles. We need to bring a circular economy to batteries in order to limit emissions and take care of our carbon footprint. I am pleased that there will be a consultation on this soon and our committee will contribute to it.”
As the demand for raw materials continues to grow, the goal of a greener automotive market is under increasing pressure. To support both the requirements of a scalable EU battery supply chain and the reduction of carbon emissions across the lifecycle, it is important to increase knowledge about the potential and reality of battery recycling.
In 2022 alone, RAC will be approx. 267,000 battery electric cars on UK roads. Existing estimates suggest that approximately 712,000 zero-emission battery electric vehicles are currently in use. In January 2023, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recorded that almost a third of cars produced were fully electric or hybrid, and car production exports were worth £10bn. Continued growth in EV industry output is essential for the successful transition to net-zero transportation both domestically and globally.
But while the EV market is moving at breakneck speed toward production growth goals, known production capacity and markets for end-of-life battery materials and components are still in their infancy. A net-zero automotive industry will not be based solely on the production and sale of electric vehicles. To accurately depict the industry’s current ability to achieve net-zero targets with zero emissions, a more comprehensive overview of lifecycle emissions from vehicle manufacturing to the manufacture, disposal and secondary use of its components is needed. is required. product.
As fully electric and hybrid vehicles become more widespread, and new insurance data on battery-powered vehicles is released, there is a clear cynicism towards the idea of a “circular economy” for cars. As new battery factories ramp up, cell manufacturing scrap could reach 30%, as stated in a March 2023 McKinsey report titled “Battery Recycling Takes the Lead.” .
The European Commission has enacted legislation to reduce the environmental damage caused by the dismantling and recycling of end-of-life vehicles (End-of-Life Vehicles Directive or ELV Directive). In June 2022, the Council of the European Union strengthened the requirements for CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles in the “Fit for 55” standard. A key element of this is the commitment to present a methodology to assess and report data on embedded CO2 emissions throughout the lifecycle of cars and vans sold on the EU market by 2025.
In a conversation about battery recycling issues, Graham Cooper, National Grid’s head of future marketing at the time, said: “The battery will last longer than the car…Today, most EV batteries have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years in the car, and then It also has a second lifespan.” Cooper continues, “A usable battery still has some life left, so if you have a renewable energy source like a solar panel, hang it in your garage or cupboard under the stairs as a static battery energy storage system. “You can do that.” .
While it is important to recognize existing capacity and the increasing likelihood that EV batteries will prove useful beyond their original lifespan, current durability and secondary use as opposed to wear and tear are important. Focusing on possibilities remains problematic. For more information on the increase in battery recycling facilities across the UK, please visit Veolia has recorded that there could be 350,000 tonnes of used electric vehicle batteries in the country by 2040. This is primarily because the materials currently used in EV batteries are not always recovered at ‘maximum value’ and are in large quantities. The expertise required to continue working with such materials.
This is in no way to suggest that batteries will not advance in the effort to decarbonize the automotive market. Battery technology is rapidly advancing, from configuration to infrastructure, and has become an important means of minimizing dependence on fossil fuels. However, resolving the contradictions and challenges posed by efficiently recycling, sourcing and transporting materials at the required speeds is far from easy. Looking at the broader electrification landscape, the increase in low-carbon vessels in the shipping industry, and efforts to address embedded carbon in production processes, we believe the lifecycle efficiency of electric vehicles will continue to improve. We may not have a complete picture of what a “circular economy” for EV batteries would look like at this point, but as consumer popularity grows, improving the lifecycle efficiency of electric vehicles Measures are being taken to ensure this.
Commenting on the issue, Daniel Huang, Head of Strategic Planning at the UK Center for Advancement, said:
“Recycling electric vehicle batteries will bring security of electric vehicle supply to the UK and increase the sustainability of electric vehicles. With the rapid uptake of electric vehicles, there is a huge opportunity to innovate and expand battery recycling in the UK. In the real world, batteries have long lifespans and car batteries It is estimated to last a long time and can then be used for secondary purposes. Industry and governments are now considering transporting this valuable resource overseas for processing when post-production volumes increase. We have an opportunity to start scaling up to ensure that.”
To support the engineering community and the ongoing challenges posed by the battery market, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers offers a variety of development and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. If you would like to hear more about this topic and the broader EV market from a variety of experts, please join us at the following events: IMechE: International EV Battery Conference (November 7-8, 2023) or find a variety of related training opportunities, including:
The content and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag.
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