Second-Life EV Batteries: Turning Electric Car Waste Into Energy Storage Gold

While manufacturers designed electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce the carbon footprint of traditional cars, the batteries that power them can create another pollution problem if not properly recycled. Scientists have begun reusing the batteries for energy storage instead of throwing them in landfills, offering numerous environmental and economic benefits.

Hidden Challenge of EV Batteries

As climate change and conservation efforts increase, so does the electric vehicle market. Over 17 million EVs were sold in 2024. Because these cars are more common, so are their leftover batteries. Putting them in landfills only increases the environmental problem EVs were supposed to prevent. Now, manufacturers are utilizing these batteries and contributing to the circular economy.

Readiness for a Second Life

Not all batteries are suitable for reuse. Scientists determine a battery’s suitability for a second life by assessing its capacity, temperature and voltage. This process requires intensive monitoring and charging. Still, researchers are developing ways to determine a battery’s eligibility without the extended test. Once batteries meet the requirements, manufacturers can repurpose and sell them to companies, residents and others interested in utilizing their power.

Potential of Second-Life Batteries

When EV batteries lose their ability to power vehicles, they still contain a significant portion of energy storage capacity that would be wasted in a landfill. Here are some of the ways to take advantage of that extra power through recycling.

Stationary Energy Storage

Manufacturers can repurpose EV batteries for stationary energy storage. Each battery must go through an examination to determine whether it has sufficient power, but the benefits are evident. This reduces the cost of traditional storage methods and extends the EV batteries’ lifespan.

UPS Systems

UPS systems provide backup power for critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and data centers. Second-life EV batteries offer power, reliability and cost-effectiveness when used to power them. Specifically, lithium-ion batteries have a longer lifespan and charge more quickly than other UPS system battery options. Using a second-life EV battery can improve reliability during outages, protecting patient safety and data security.

Electric Grid and Renewable Energy

Engineers can utilize EV batteries to stabilize electrical grids, particularly when combined with renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro or wind. These batteries store excess green power and release it during demanding periods. For example, solar panels can collect energy during the day, which is stored in batteries and then released as needed. People can also charge them using solar farms and sell the excess energy for a significant profit.

Environmental and Economic Benefits

Recycling as many products as possible contributes to the overall goal of reducing climate change and protecting the environment. Repurposing EV batteries has many environmental and economic benefits. Here are a few main contributions.

Reduced Impact of EV Batteries

While EVs are not polluters, making new batteries for them creates a significant environmental footprint. The extraction of raw materials and the energy-intensive production process are the primary concerns. Manufacturing facilities still run on fossil fuels, so creating batteries can harm the Earth. Repurposing them instead reduces the need for continuous production.

Circular Economy

Repurposing EV batteries creates a new revenue stream for vehicle manufacturers since they can resell old batteries for new uses. It also provides a more affordable alternative energy storage solution for consumers and businesses. It is cheaper because they are not buying an entirely new power source. The market for second-life batteries is growing, providing a new opportunity for investors. This creates a circular economy through continuous reuse, benefiting both manufacturers and consumers.

Decarbonization

Because old EV batteries work well with geothermal, hydro and wind systems, another benefit is sustainability. Scientists created EVs and renewable energy to combat growing carbon emissions. When EV batteries power these sources, they also contribute to this overarching goal.

Real-World Examples

There is already evidence of countries and states utilizing second-life EV batteries as power sources. South Africa, Australia and parts of California are participants. United States event organizers use batteries for music festivals since they are portable and pair well with solar power. South Africa had a slower start than other countries, but the benefits of repurposing batteries are numerous when combined with efforts on storage and power plants. These places are repurposing EV batteries for further use, demonstrating the effectiveness of this method.

Navigating Challenges

There are some challenges associated with repurposing EV batteries as well. Not all used batteries fit the criteria for repurposing. There are no standardized tests or grades that determine a battery’s eligibility, and disassembling and reassembling is a complex process that may not seem worth it. Ongoing efforts are underway to combat these challenges, including further testing and design modifications.

Another issue is that some countries lack the necessary tools to repurpose the batteries properly. This is due to a variety of factors, including financial constraints, logistical challenges and technological limitations. They also cannot transfer their batteries to other regions with recycling capabilities due to various laws and regulations. These countries will need adequate tools to implement second-life EV batteries globally.

True End-of-Life

When EV batteries reach their true end-of-life, they should not go into a landfill. This would defeat their entire purpose. Scientists are developing innovative recycling techniques to dispose of the materials responsibly.

Shredding is a recycling process in which a device breaks down the battery into several different streams. These include black mass, electrolyte, copper and aluminum foils, steel canisters, separators and a variety of additional plastics. Black mass is what manufacturers use to create a new battery, but the rest of the materials are utilized for other purposes.

Two primary methods exist to extract black mass. Pyrometallurgy uses heat to smelt the substance. Hydrometallurgy dissolves the battery’s metal into water. Both of these processes aim to recover enough material to create new batteries from the previous ones. The recovered materials are typically sent to another facility for the next stage in the process. These are more sustainable methods than continuously polluting the Earth with batteries.

The Future of EV Battery Reuse

In the future, there are potential areas where EV battery reuse could become even more beneficial. They may be able to provide power directly back to the electrical grid. Scientists might develop new battery chemistries to make batteries easier to recycle. AI and machine learning could help scientists predict when batteries will degrade, allowing for more optimization opportunities before degradation occurs.

EV Batteries Are a Valuable Resource

Second-life EV batteries are leading humans to a more sustainable future by helping build a resourceful and circular economy. These batteries are a valuable resource for the transition to a future of clean energy.