What happens to EV batteries at the end of life?

Electric vehicle (EV) batteries, which are a critical component in the transition to a sustainable transportation system, have a significant role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. However, as with any technology, EV batteries do eventually reach the end of their useful life in a vehicle, typically after around 8-10 years or a certain number of charge cycles. At this point, proper disposal and recycling become essential to ensure the environmental impact is minimized and the valuable resources within the batteries are recovered.

What happens to EV batteries at the end of their useful life?

1. Performance degradation: Over time, the capacity of EV batteries will gradually diminish. When the battery's performance drops below a certain threshold, typically 70-80% of its original capacity, it is considered to have reached the end of the car's life.

2. Diagnostic testing: Before any disposal or recycling steps, batteries undergo diagnostic testing to assess their condition. Some batteries may still have enough capacity for secondary use, such as in stationary energy storage systems.

3. Disassembly: For batteries that are not suitable for secondary use, they will be disassembled in a controlled environment.

4. Recycling: Choose the proper EV battery recycling technology and recycling equipment to safely and efficiently recycle valuable materials in used EV batteries.

Recycling electric vehicle batteries

Among the above four EV battery disposal methods, DOING lithium battery recycling machine is widely favored due to its environmental protection, resource utilization and profitability.

The process of recycling EV batteries using DOING lithium battery recycling machine

End-of-life EV batteries contain several valuable materials, including copper, aluminum, lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and graphite, which are all key components in the production of new batteries. Recycling these materials not only helps to conserve natural resources but also reduces the need for mining, which can be environmentally destructive. The process of recycling EV batteries typically involves several stages:

1.Collection & Discharge: The first step is to collect used EV batteries from various sources, such as automakers, dealers, and recycling stations. Soak the used EV batteries in 8%-15% NaCl solution for 48 hours to short-circuit the positive and negative electrodes of the battery and fully discharge the battery.

2. Shredding pretreatment: The first step in EV battery recycling is to shred the batteries. This process usually uses a specially designed lithium battery shredder. By crushing the battery, the internal electrolyte can be effectively released and the battery components can be separated.

Lithium battery recycling machine

3. Sorting & Crushing: The crushed EV battery residue needs to be processed through multiple sorting and crushing. The process uses advanced sorting equipment such as rotary screen, vibrating screen, air separator, and magnetic separator. Depending on the different physical properties, these equipment can effectively separate and recover metals and black powder from EV battery residues.

4.Carbonization treatment: Carbonization treatment is an important link in EV battery recycling. Carbonization is the process of converting organic matter into carbonaceous substances in a low-oxygen or oxygen-free environment by heating the battery residue. Carbonization helps convert EV battery residues into high-purity carbon materials that can be reused in battery production or other industrial applications.

Lithium battery recycling machine

DOING lithium battery recycling machine adopts key technologies such as crushing, pyrolysis, sorting, and intelligent control systems, which not only improves the efficiency and quality of lithium battery recycling, but also reduces production costs and environmental pollution, reduces the frequency of manual intervention, and further improves the level of production automation. DOING Company can customize lithium battery recycling machine with a processing capacity ranging from 500kg/h to 2t/h. In addition, our engineers will customize equipment with a larger processing capacity for you according to your needs.

As a professional lithium battery recycling machine manufacturer, DOING is committed to providing customers with feasible solutions and professional equipment support. If you are interested in delving into lithium battery recycling business and require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.