![]() ![]() Batteries lose some capacity over time, but not so much that it is generally something to be concerned about with today's long-range electric cars. Beyond the warranty, though, there's the issue of battery degradation. California requires a longer warranty period of 10 years or 150,000 miles. In general, according to, automakers warranty their electric car battery packs for at least eight years or 100,000 miles. How long does an electric car battery last? The state itself formed an expert group to devise new and more efficient methods of battery recycling, so while the industry may be behind the pace of EV adoption, significant strides are being made to close the gap. The company is working with California residents to improve its processes to pick up and recycle spent lithium-ion batteries at no cost to the owner. Companies like Redwood Materials are working on reducing transportation costs and incorporating more recycled materials into new batteries. Those who accept the loads might charge extra for the risk and hassle involved. Additionally, due to the fire risk, some shipping and transport companies have strict guidelines on how and when EVs can be transported. Estimates peg the costs of transporting EV batteries to constitute as much as 40% of the overall costs of recycling. There is a method known as direct recycling, which leaves the cathode mixture intact, but it’s not yet ready for primetime.īeyond the fact that it’s labor-intensive and sometimes dangerous to recycle the materials inside a battery, as explained by, the costs involved with transporting the batteries from one place to another are considerable expenses. If that ends up being the case, recyclers’ already meager profit margins will take a beating. Then there’s the matter of economics, as many battery companies look to use less cobalt. Both processes generate emissions and create waste, which can end up in the environment. The two main methods for recycling batteries involve either extreme temperatures or acid. Read more: How much electric car range do you really need? That’s not only bad for the environment since there is a ton of leftover material, it’s also bad for recyclers because unless there’s a buyer lined up for lithium and manganese, they could be out of luck. That leaves lithium, manganese, and nickel, among a host of other materials that may not be economically recyclable or require additional processing that drives cost. EV battery recyclingĬurrently, the only EV battery material worth recycling is cobalt. Three of the most prominent are included below. While that may or may not be entirely accurate, companies are working to reduce costs and increase the number of materials that can be safely reused.Ĭurrently, a battery takes a few main avenues once it reaches the end of its useful life. Tesla claims it can recycle up to 92% of the materials inside its batteries and has said that none end up in landfills. Read more: Electric car glossary: EV batteries, charging stations, PHEVs explained Costs should eventually fall once there are enough EVs on the road to create benefits of scale, and there are uses for batteries once their lives powering electric vehicles come to an end. That will change in time, but for now, there’s work to do. The big, heavy batteries present a clear danger to the environment, so recycling has become a popular goal in the industry.Īt the same time, recycling batteries is not cheap, efficient, nor quick. The problems arise when those batteries become so used that they can no longer provide an adequate range for EVs. Just like a mobile phone, EVs have lithium-ion batteries that can store energy and recharge once it’s spent. One has to do with the batteries that power the latest EVs hitting the market. Gas prices and environmental concerns are strong motivators for people to give up gas and go electric, but the segment is so new that there are still big unanswered questions. Electric vehicles are quickly becoming the go-to for many car buyers. ![]()
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