When you think about the end of an electric vehicle’s (EV’s) life, what comes to mind? Maybe a worn-out battery tossed into a landfill. But the truth is far more nuanced—and a lot more hopeful. EV batteries don’t just “die”; they fade. And when they’re no longer strong enough to power a car, they often begin a second life.
The EV battery lifecycle
Electric vehicle batteries, most commonly lithium-ion, are designed to last between 8 and 15 years depending on use, climate and how well they’re maintained. Over time, their capacity diminishes—similar to the way a phone’s battery starts to hold less charge over the years.Once an EV battery’s capacity drops to about 70-80% of its original strength, it’s no longer ideal for powering a vehicle. That’s when automakers and recyclers step in to give these batteries a new job.
Repurposing: from cars to buildings
Used EV batteries might not be strong enough for cars, but they still hold plenty of usable energy. That makes them perfect for stationary energy storage—think solar-powered homes, office buildings, and even grid backup systems.
Nissan has repurposed old Leaf batteries to power streetlights in Japan and stadiums in Amsterdam. Similarly, BMW has partnered with energy firms to build storage farms using batteries from its i3 electric cars. According to a 2024 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), second-life battery applications could add up to 200 gigawatt-hours of global energy storage capacity by 2030.
That’s significant, especially as renewable energy sources like wind and solar continue to grow. They generate power intermittently—so having a bank of affordable second-life batteries helps smooth out the supply and demand.
Recycling: recovering critical materials
Eventually, even the hardiest EV batteries reach the point where they’re no longer useful, even for backup power. That’s when recycling becomes essential.
Unlike traditional car batteries, lithium-ion packs are complex, often made up of hundreds of individual cells. Recycling them isn’t easy—but it’s becoming more efficient and profitable as demand grows for materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese.
Companies like Li-Cycle, Redwood Materials and Ascend Elements are leading the charge in the U.S. Redwood Materials, founded by a former Tesla executive, says it can recover more than 95% of key materials from old EV batteries, including lithium and nickel. These materials can then be used to make new batteries, reducing the need for mining and lowering the environmental footprint of EV production.
The U.S. Department of Energy is backing this effort with funding and a goal: it wants to ensure that 90% of EV batteries are reused or recycled by 2030.
What about the environmental risk?
It’s true—if EV batteries aren’t handled properly, they pose risks. They’re flammable, heavy, and chemically complex. But regulations are tightening. The European Union, for example, passed a law requiring EV manufacturers to ensure that batteries are collected and recycled, and that a minimum percentage of materials are recovered.
In the U.S., California requires EV sellers to ensure batteries are either recycled or reused. And federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is driving investment into domestic recycling infrastructure.
The news and editorial staffs of Southern California News Group and The San Diego Union-Tribune had no role in this post’s preparation.
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