The Untold Challenge of Electric Vehicles: What Happens to the Batteries?

theweeklydriver.com

The rapid electrification of the global automotive industry has made electric vehicles (EVs) a central piece of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While the shift to EVs brings the promise of cleaner transportation, the supply chain and lifecycle of EV batteries introduce complex environmental challenges.

The creation of a circular economy around EV batteries—a system that minimizes waste by reusing and recycling materials—is seen as a solution to these challenges.

EV Battery Boom: Critical Infrastructure

The surge in demand for electric vehicles has led to an unprecedented construction boom for EV battery manufacturing facilities across North America.

EV battery production is helping to diversify regional economies, particularly in areas previously reliant on fossil fuel industries, by creating thousands of high-tech jobs and economy revitalization.

Critical Minerals Depend on Geopolitical Supply Chains and Exploitation

Electric vehicle batteries rely on a handful of critical minerals—lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite—that have become the focal point of a global supply chain challenge.

Photo: Volvo Newsroom

Building Circular Economies: Recycling and Reuse at Scale

A cornerstone of the effort to make EV batteries more sustainable is the development of a circular economy. This approach aims to extend the lifespan of materials by recycling and reusing them, reducing the need for new raw materials and minimizing waste.

Battery recycling is a highly specialized process that involves dismantling battery packs, separating the materials, and processing them for reuse.

Transforming Battery Waste into Resources

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