Picture a world in the not-so-distant future, say 2035, where the streets hum with the quiet whir of electric cars. These sleek vehicles bid adieu to their petrol and diesel predecessors as the European Union boldly decides to ban the sale of traditional vehicles, all in an effort to combat climate change. Electric cars win praise for their eco-friendliness, emitting zero carbon dioxide during their travels. But before we pat ourselves on the back too eagerly, there’s a catch: the rechargeable batteries powering these electric marvels bring their own set of environmental challenges. Jam-packed with rare and pricey metals, recycling them once they’ve run their course poses quite the puzzle.
Here’s the thing: a typical lithium-ion battery is made up of numerous individual cells, each weighing in at hundreds of kilograms. Take, for example, the battery pack of a Nissan Leaf, boasting 192 pouch cells, or the Tesla Model S, flaunting a whopping 7,104 cylindrical cells, all neatly tucked into modules. As these batteries accumulate, a race ensues among automakers, battery firms, and researchers to find ways to prevent them from ending up as landfill fodder.
Recycling centers toil away to salvage valuable metals and minerals from these cells, but it’s no walk in the park. Taking apart the battery pack requires delicate handling to avoid mishaps. The electrolyte, a fluid that helps lithium ions move between electrodes, poses a fire or explosion risk if not handled with care. Only after the battery is dismantled can recyclers safely extract conductive materials like lithium, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
Speaking of cobalt, it’s particularly in demand for making cathodes. But its acquisition often comes with a dark side – human rights abuses, supply chain disruptions, and unpredictable prices, especially in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo. To tackle these concerns, major electric car manufacturers are already on the hunt for cobalt alternatives.
But here’s the rub: as batteries advance with more environmentally friendly and cost-effective materials, the urge to recycle them dwindles. Energy storage expert Jenny Baker compares this trend to our habits with consumer electronics – often, it’s cheaper to buy a new device than to repair or recycle an old one.
Back when electric cars were a rarity, this wasn’t such a big deal. Fast forward to 2030, where the International Energy Agency predicts a whopping 145 million electric cars on the roads, and suddenly, we’re facing a mountain of used batteries. By 2035, researchers estimate about 250,000 tonnes of battery packs will hit retirement, enough to fill 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Currently, much of the world’s battery recycling know-how resides in China. But strict rules on importing used batteries make it tough for other regions to join the party. Europe is slowly catching up, with automakers leading the charge on battery production and recycling efforts. Volkswagen Group, for instance, recycles thousands of batteries each year at its German facility.
But despite these efforts, there’s a pressing need to rethink how we recycle batteries. Current methods mainly focus on extracting valuable materials, but researcher Gavin Harper argues for more efficient and eco-friendly approaches. He dreams of a future where batteries are made with recycling in mind from the get-go, reducing our reliance on resource-heavy recycling processes.
While some are busy honing recycling techniques, others are exploring alternative battery technologies. Companies like CATL and BYD are cooking up cobalt-free batteries, opting for lithium iron phosphate instead. And then there’s the promising realm of sodium-ion batteries, offering a potentially abundant substitute for lithium.
In a nutshell, the challenge goes beyond just salvaging metals from old batteries. It’s about reimagining how we design and produce batteries to pave the way for greener solutions down the road.