Abstract
The development and deployment of cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions for recycling end-of-life electric vehicle batteries is becoming increasingly urgent. Based on the existing literature, as well as original data from research and ongoing pilot projects in Canada, this paper discusses the following: (i) key economic and environmental drivers for recycling electric vehicle (EV) batteries; (ii) technical and financial challenges to large-scale deployment of recycling initiatives; and (iii) the main recycling process options currently under consideration. A number of policies and strategies are suggested to overcome these challenges, such as increasing the funding for both incremental innovation and breakthroughs on recycling technology, funding for pilot projects (particularly those contributing to fostering collaboration along the entire recycling value chain), and market-pull measures to support the creation of a favorable economic and regulatory environment for large-scale EV battery recycling.
Highlights
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the dominant electricity storage technology for applications requiring high energy density, such as portable electronic devices and electric vehicles (EVs)
The following arguments can be made in favor of recycling LIBs, especially EV LIBs
The assessment of the lifecycle emissions of LIB manufacturing is complex, it is generally recognized that at least 30–50% of lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from EVs are related to battery manufacturing and mineral extraction [4,5,6,7]
Summary
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the dominant electricity storage technology for applications requiring high energy density, such as portable electronic devices and electric vehicles (EVs). As well as mining, refining, and manufacturing operations are expected to be needed to allow the mass production of EVs, leading some observers to question the sustainability of batteries as a solution for enabling decarbonized transportation. Significant developments are needed to achieve high LIB recycling rates, competitive costs with virgin materials, and energy and environmental footprints that offer significant improvements over non-circular value chains. Various solutions for recycling batteries already exist, funds and other policy instruments are necessary to foster robust recycling value chains able to sustain the large-scale expansion of electrified transportation that is expected this century. EV LIB recycling is still at an infant stage (especially outside China), offering both challenges and opportunities to those willing to address the increasingly strategic issue of sustainable battery manufacturing
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