EV batteries are a lithium based rechargeable battery that contain nickel, cobalt and copper. They are the main power source of:
- Electric vehicles
- Solar power storage
- Emergency power backups (UPS)
- Power tools
Eventually, these batteries wear out and consumers must replace them. This generally happens due to aging, overuse and overcharging. In this way, these scrap EV batteries must reach disposal. This is where EV battery recycling companies come into help. These companies follow the process.
For the important and uncommon materials that EV batteries contain that are reusable, there are various steps to follow:
- First, EV battery recycling companies purchase or sell scrap EV batteries. Subsequently, these companies get cobalt, nickel and copper.
- After this, deactivate the batteries. This must occur for the procedure to start.
- Subsequently, the EV batteries are placed in a specialized room. Hence, the room is oxygen-free.
- Then, the technique for extracting metals from their ores (hydrometallurgy) happens.
- Furthermore, the process of using aqueous solutions to extract metal from other metal bearing materials ( leaching ) happens.
- Next, separate the battery components into three different categories. These categories are cobalt, steel, and aluminum, copper and plastic.
- Lastly, EV battery recycling companies sell these recycled materials.
EV battery recycling protects the environment by reusing their valuable materials and reducing pollution. Also, there is an opportunity for a profit to be made by selling scrap EV batteries to recycling services like Interco. For EV batteries to continue to be made, it is important that individuals sell EV batteries to professional recyclers. One can also buy EV batteries from Interco to power vehicles.
Since the process has been discussed, why is this process so fundamental?