Circular ecosystem vital for better EV recycling

Published in Nature Reviews Clean Technology, the research examined the current state of lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling, looking at existing industrial as well as developing technologies. It found that to replace energy and resource intensive practices such as pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy to separate battery materials, approaches such as direct recycling and upcycling could be adopted, bringing significant cost and efficiency gains.

According to the study, these changes could cut costs by up to 40 per cent while also minimising secondary pollution. However, the shift would require a leap in collaboration across the entire EV value chain, from vehicle OEMs and battery manufacturers to recyclers and regulators.

"The rapid growth in electric vehicle adoption demands urgent action to create a sustainable circular economy for lithium-ion batteries” said study co-author Dr Gavin Harper, from Birmingham University’s School of Metallurgy and Materials.