Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming even more popular, offering a cleaner way to get around. We often focus on how cool they look and how far they can go on a single charge, but the real star of the show is their batteries. These batteries not only power our EVs but also have the potential to make a big difference for the environment when recycled responsibly.
As EV companies like Vietnam-based VinFast join the movement, it’s not just about making modern electric cars, it’s also about taking care of the batteries when they’re no longer used in cars. This means finding ways to give those batteries a second life instead of just throwing them away.
On the road to rebirth
A common misconception is that EV batteries end up in landfills after their useful life, but this is untrue. These batteries contain valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which can be recovered and reused through recycling.
The typical recycling process begins with the safe collection and disassembly of spent batteries. Technicians use specialized tools and equipment to carefully separate the various materials within a battery, such as modules, cells, and other components.
Once disassembled, the battery materials can be processed using different methods, according to a Science article by author Ian Morse.
Pyrometallurgy involves subjecting the battery components to extremely high temperatures, melting them down to separate metals like cobalt and nickel for recovery and reuse. While effective, this method is energy-intensive and may not be the most environmentally friendly
option.
Hydrometallurgy, on the other hand, utilizes chemical solutions to dissolve and extract valuable materials from the battery waste. This method is generally considered more sustainable, as it consumes less energy and produces fewer emissions.
An emerging technology called direct recycling aims to repurpose battery cells directly without extensive processing. This involves disassembling the battery pack, testing individual cells, and identifying those with usable capacity for reuse in other applications, such as stationary energy storage systems.
While still in development, direct recycling has the potential to significantly extend battery lifespan and reduce the need for new battery production.
“So far, direct recycling experiments have only focused on single cells and yielded just tens of grams of cathode powders,” wrote author Ian Morse in Science. “But researchers at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory have built economic models showing the technique could, if scaled up under the right conditions, be viable in the future.”
Before undergoing these processes, however, spent EV batteries can find new life in less demanding applications.
For example, blocks of old batteries could be used to ease strain on the power grid by providing backup electricity when it is needed most, said Elsa Olivetti, Jerry McAfee Professor in Engineering in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE) and co-director of the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium.
“But we have to be sure we understand the state of the battery’s health,” says Olivetti. “And that’s a challenge.”
VinFast’s sustainable EV battery
While EV battery recycling is still a developing field, advancements in technology and increasing demand for recycled materials are driving innovation. EV companies like Vietnam-based VinFast are actively collaborating with partners to make the recycling and reuse process more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.
VinFast’s commitment to a circular economy begins with its product design. It primarily uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, known for their longevity, safety, and reduced reliance on scarce resources like cobalt and nickel. This not only enhances the performance and safety of its vehicles but also simplifies the recycling process and minimizes potential environmental impacts.
To further its battery recycling efforts, VinFast has established strategic partnerships. In 2022, it partnered with Li-Cycle, a leading lithium-ion battery recycler whose innovative technology allows for the recovery of up to 95% of battery materials. This closed-loop process ensures that recovered materials can be used to manufacture new batteries, creating a sustainable cycle for these valuable resources.
VinFast is also exploring repurposing solutions for spent batteries. In 2023, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Marubeni Corp to collaborate on developing battery energy storage systems using recycled EV batteries. These systems can store excess energy from renewable sources, providing a reliable and sustainable power source.
As the EV market continues to grow, the demand for sustainable and environmentally responsible practices throughout the product life cycle will increase. By investing in recycling technologies and partnering with industry leaders, companies like VinFast are demonstrating their commitment to ensuring their batteries have a positive impact beyond their use in vehicles.