Electronics Weekly
“When it comes to recycling the batteries, we know most UK companies export their end-of-life units to Europe and other parts of the world for recycling and material recovery and as a result transport accounts for around a third of the cost associated with the service,” said Sam Haig (pictured), battery recycling manager at the company, RS Bruce. “At present there is no capability for lithium-ion battery recycling in the UK, and facilities are needed to address this growing challenge.”
RS Bruce is quoting the University of Warwick’s ‘Automotive lithium ion battery recycling in the UK’ report, saying that it is expected that from 2035 every new passenger car sold across the country will have a lithium ion chemistry traction battery, and by 2040 339,000 tonnes of these batteries will reach end-of-life – having an average lifespan of ~11 years and containing metals including lithium, nickel, cobalt and copper.
Founded in Sheffield in 1974, RSBruce removes, recovers and recycles precious metals, primarily ‘platinum group metals (of which it claims to have recovered £1.5bn worth so far), gold and silver.
“Our facility welcomes customer audits, meaning our clients have peace of mind knowing their products are being recycled responsibly,” according to Haig.
See also: EnSilica opens new design centre, starts recruitment drive
It is a bit concerning that they only expect the batteries to last 11 years. Will it be economically viable to replace the batteries in an 11 year old vehicle? Will spares even be available? If buying an EV I think people should factor in a 50% reduction in range over its life. That makes me question the viability of cars like the Honda E.
EV’s are as practical as windmills and pet rocks. Strut your green stuff.
Hi Alistair
In defence of windmills, with water wheels they were the major mechanical source of motive power for 500 years 🙂
They were actually quite practical compared to other cars 100 years ago.
https://www.thehenryford.org/artifact/195103/
Obviously not practical for interstate travel, but for popping around Washington DC great.
Morning Duncan
I was pondering long-distance travel.
Factoring in a stop about every 150 miles for a pee and a coffee – it would work if it could charge-up enough during that stop for the next 150 miles, maybe?