background image

Using retired EV batteries cuts more carbon emissions than recycling

author image

By illuminem briefings

· 3 min read


illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Interesting Engineering or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A new international study finds that California could avoid up to 56 million tons of CO₂ emissions by prioritizing second-life use of retired EV batteries as grid-connected storage before recycling
The analysis, led by Germany’s Fraunhofer FFB and University of Münster in collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, suggests this “reuse-first” model delivers a significantly higher climate benefit than recycling alone

🔭 The context: As California accelerates its electric vehicle adoption and clean energy transition, it faces a rising wave of end-of-life EV batteries
Currently, most strategies focus on material recovery through recycling, but refurbishing batteries for stationary energy storage offers dual benefits: reducing demand for newly manufactured batteries and helping stabilize the state’s solar- and wind-heavy grid
EV battery reuse markets remain nascent, but rapidly growing

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Repurposing used batteries delays the need for carbon-intensive manufacturing, extending the battery’s lifecycle and amplifying climate gains
This approach offers an immediate tool for balancing intermittent renewables and cuts emissions beyond the 48 million tons saved through recycling alone
However, eventual recycling remains essential to recover scarce metals like lithium and cobalt — especially as second-use capacity is expected to be outstripped by supply by 2050

⏭️ What's next: The report urges policymakers to act now to build large-scale recycling infrastructure in parallel with second-use programs
Key actions include establishing collection networks, automated disassembly systems, and efficient refining facilities
Delay could create future bottlenecks as volumes surge and reuse capacity is exceeded
The findings also reinforce the value of battery lifecycle planning in U.S. energy policy, particularly as federal EV and renewable energy incentives expand

💬 One quote: “Only the second-use pathway maximizes carbon savings while still feeding future recycling streams with batteries that have delivered an additional decade, or more, of service.” – Study authors

📈 One stat: Sending all retired EV batteries directly to recyclers would avert 48 million tons of CO₂, while prioritizing reuse in stationary storage raises that figure to 56 million tons — a 17% increase in emissions savings

Explore carbon credit purchases, total emissions, and climate targets of thousands of companies on Data Hub™ — the first platform designed to help sustainability providers generate sales leads!

Click for more news covering the latest on battery tech and carbon

Did you enjoy this illuminem voice? Support us by sharing this article!
author photo

About the author

illuminem's editorial team, providing you with concise summaries of the most important sustainability news of the day. Follow us on Linkedin, Twitter​ & Instagram

Other illuminem Voices


Related Posts


You cannot miss it!

Weekly. Free. Your Top 10 Sustainability & Energy Posts.

You can unsubscribe at any time (read our privacy policy)