Editor’s observe: This story is the third in a three-part sequence that explores the primary points surrounding electrical automobile applied sciences.
Main carmakers wish to increase the manufacturing and gross sales of electrical automobiles (EVs) within the coming years. They’re additionally in search of new methods to reuse batteries to chop prices and defend the setting.
Lithium-ion batteries are used to energy most EVs. Producers assure their batteries for eight to 10 years. At present, few batteries are recycled, that means their supplies are reused. Present recycling processes are troublesome and dear.
Among the many needed supplies used to make lithium-ion batteries are lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and manganese. Higher recycling strategies might assist clear up issues associated to the restricted availability and rising costs of those supplies.
Most recycling strategies below growth contain breaking the batteries down into smaller items. Then, completely different processes are used to separate the metallic parts. The aim is to reuse as a lot materials as potential.
The Worldwide Vitality Company (IEA) launched a report in regards to the growth of the EV market in 2020. The IEA noted that most often, the primary parts of end-of-life EV battery techniques may be repurposed, or utilized in a brand new manner.
As well as, the IEA stated used batteries that also maintain between 70 to 80 % of their energy capability could possibly be reused for “much less demanding stationary storage.” This might embrace utilizing outdated EV batteries to retailer energy for a major electrical energy system, often called a grid. The report suggests recycled batteries additionally could possibly be linked with techniques producing electrical energy from wind or the solar.
British researchers have experimented with methods that might totally recycle major electrical battery elements such because the cathode and anode.
One methodology makes use of ultrasonic waves to recycle these necessary parts with out having to interrupt them aside. Different researchers have studied a course of referred to as hydrometallurgy. It makes use of liquids and chemical substances to take away lithium and different parts from used batteries to be used in new ones.
One of many major American companies aiming to make EV battery recycling worthwhile is Nevada-based Redwood Supplies. The corporate was began in 2019 by J.B. Straubel. He helped launch American carmaker Tesla together with its chief Elon Musk.
Redwood seeks to recycle the commonest EV battery supplies. The corporate’s strategies embrace hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy, which makes use of excessive warmth to separate the metals.
The corporate already holds provide contracts with American carmaker Ford and Japanese electronics producer Panasonic, which produces batteries for Tesla. Ford introduced final September it was investing $50 million in Redwood.
Straubel informed The Related Press that his firm will not be but worthwhile as a result of it’s nonetheless closely investing in operations and know-how. However he famous that the recycling processes Redwood makes use of are at present worthwhile. “There’s actually fairly a starvation for these supplies,” Straubel stated.
He added that the metals utilized in EV batteries may be successfully recycled many occasions. “We don’t see any degradation within the efficiency of these metals. They really are likely to get extra pure as we undergo further cycles of producing and refining,” he stated.
One other firm, Canada’s Li-Cycle, makes use of hydrometallurgical strategies. It has opened a number of new processing facilities in recent times and has plans to launch extra. Li-Cycle says on its web site its latest facilities may have the capability to recycle as much as 10,000 tons of lithium-ion batteries per yr.
American Manganese is one other Canadian firm utilizing hydrometallurgical recycling strategies. It claims its processes can take away and recycle as much as 99 % of lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese from used EV batteries. The corporate plans to open a “demonstration plant” in Vancouver this yr that goals to course of about 500 kilograms of lithium-ion battery waste every single day.
I’m Bryan Lynn.
Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Studying English, based mostly on experiences from The Related Press, Reuters and the Worldwide Vitality Company.
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Phrases in This Story
battery – n. a tool that’s positioned inside a machine to provide it with electrical energy
capability – n. the biggest quantity or quantity {that a} container, constructing, and so on. can maintain
grid – n. a system of related wires used to provide electrical energy to massive areas
cathode – n. the a part of {an electrical} system (corresponding to a battery) the place electrons enter
anode – n. the a part of {an electrical} system (corresponding to a battery) from which electrons depart
ultrasonic – adj. used to explain sounds which might be too excessive for people to listen to
degrade – v. harm the standard or situation of one thing over time
refine – v. make a substance pure by eradicating different substances from it