EV battery recycling gets a boost

eBikeGo, an electric mobility solutions provider, has said that they are kickstarting a drive to recycle Lithium batteries of its electric vehicles. These recycled batteries are in the beginning or middle of their lifecycle. EV batteries are taken out of the vehicle when their capacity reduces by about 25%. So, if a 1000 wh battery starts storing only 750 wh, then it is taken out of EV. It can then be used in solar plants and other applications.

The startup goes on to explain that in the coming years, the number of lithium-ion batteries available in the global market will multiply leaps and bounds as electric mobility is gaining traction which raises a pertinent question of battery waste disposal. In a waste stream, lithium-ion batteries are very harmful and can have significant environmental consequences. After the battery’s lifespan, battery waste is left out comprising enormous amounts of chemicals such as cobalt, electrolytes, lithium, manganese oxide, and nickel.

India, at present, is woefully underprepared for the sheer volume of EV battery waste expected in the coming decade. Most of our e-waste is dumped in landfills. These batteries constitute substances if not recycled or treated properly, then they can cause harm to both the environment and humans.

Under eBikeGo’s drive, all types of batteries can be recycled including Lead-acid and different types of Li-ion. eBikeGo also states that it is building an elaborate infrastructure to recycle these batteries. The typical recycling process for Li-ion batteries will get Lithium out of old batteries. It can take out more than 99 % of Lithium used. Then a new battery will have to be made from it. eBikeGo wants to tie up with solar plant manufacturers to enable the second life of their battery.

eBikeGo is exploring partnerships with e-waste management entities. The by-products of the recycled batteries will depend on the process, the battery chemistry, and many other factors.

They are enabling the use of these recycled batteries in old laptops and such by installing operating systems such as Linux that can work well with old laptops and still keep using it.

As the recycling of Li-Ion batteries increases, it will help to bring down the pricing of the batteries further. This will improve the adoption of EVs and will bring down pollution. Solar plants will play an important role in the second life of the battery, it will bring down the cost of solar energy and increase its availability. Thus helping to reduce pollution further.

It will also improve the ROI on the assets of eBikeGo. These battery recycling drives will be done in all Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities where eBikeGo is currently operational. These batteries can be recycled in the plants that will have to be away from the cities.