Electric cars, recycling of batteries. At what point are we

In a world where everything works, electric cars would be part of a cohesive ecosystem, a circular economy characterized by organized infrastructures, the use of energy produced by renewable sources and the recycling of raw materials. In the real world, however, there is talk of electric cars whose circulating number is not proportionate to the amount of charging columns available, a production still based mainly on fossil fuels and an almost completely non -existent recycling phase. Not everything is lost: we talk about Industries and sectors in constant evolution and in which technological development takes place day by day; This is the case of those who deal with the disposal and recycling of the batteries, who would already be able to recover most of the materials of a lithium battery at the end of life.

how lithium batteries are made

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Electric cars work thanks to lithium -ion rechargeable batteries, similar to those of smartphones, but much larger and complex. These batteries are composed of modules and cells that contain lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and graphite. Inside, electrodes and separators manage the flow of ions during charge and discharge. They are high efficiency devices, but with a limited useful life, after which they become a difficult waste to treat. Their medium life cycle goes from 150,000 to 300,000 kilometersor 8-15 years, depending on the use, environmental conditions and those who produce it. One of the factors that makes the recycling phase complex is the quantity of manufacturers of lithium batteries and their variety: an unreladized production means that each battery could be assembled and produced in different ways and with different materials, and since it is a constantly evolving technology, we find ourselves in a situation in which no battery is the same as the previous one.

The second life of the batteries

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When an electric car battery drops below 70-80% of its original capacity, it is no longer suitable for use on the road, but it is not yet to be thrown away. Can start one Second life as a static energy accumulator. In practice it is reconfigured and used to store energy in photovoltaic systems, wind power plants or residential buildings. It must no longer bear accelerations, vibrations or quick charging cycles, so it can still last several years with these new applications. This solution has two advantages: delays disposal And make the most of the value of the materials. In addition, it helps to stabilize electric networks, an increasing need with the increase in production from renewable sources. In Europe, companies like Renault, Volkswagen and Enel X are starting to implement this solution, but on a limited scale. The delay in the development of renewable energies in many countries slows down the diffusion of these systems, which work best in combination with solar and wind.

How batteries are disposed of

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The recycling of lithium batteries takes place mainly through two techniques: pyrometallurgy And hydrometallurgy. Pyrometallurgy consists in burning the batteries at high temperatures (up to 1,500 ° C) in special ovens. This process eliminates organic and plastic components and merges recoverable and recyclable metals such as cobalt, nickel and copper. It is a consolidated and robust technology, but it has two limits: it consumes a lot of energy and does not recover lithium, which often ends up discarded as a scoria and priority is given to materials with greater economic value. The hydrometallurgy uses liquid chemical solutions – acids or solvents – to dissolve the metals contained in shredded batteries. It allows a much more selective and more efficient recovery of lithium, with rates that exceed 90%. It is less impactful from an energy point of view, but requires more complex systems and careful management of chemical waste produced.

The dilemma of the landfills

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So far everything is fine, the batteries have a lot to offer in terms of recycling. The problem is now that the production and development of the batteries has grown so exponentially in the last decade that everything around has not time to develop in equal way. The result? Millions of batteries that are about to end their cycle and which will inevitably end up in landfills, creating an allocation of waste harmful to the environment. Currently Only 5% of the batteries at the end of life are recycled with the methods listed just before. Europe, however, is not entirely firm. The battery regulation approved in 2023 requires precise objectives: at least 50% of the lithium must be recycled by 2027 and even higher rates for cobalt, nickel and copper. In addition, manufacturers are obliged to ensure that a percentage of recycled materials is reintroduced in the new batteries. In addition, there are already specialized plants, even if insufficient but in the expansion phase. Among the main actors are humic (Belgium), Accurec (Germany) and Snam (France and Italy), which manage plants for the chemical and mechanical treatment of batteries.

A hopes

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The new regulations, the first recycling plants and the projects on the second life of the batteries indicate a growing awareness of the problem. But the road is still long: more coordination, more investments and a solid industrial vision is needed. China has already shown that an integrated collection, recycling and reuse system is possible, works and creates value, showing that it is not too late to fill the gap.