China's EV Desertion Crisis: Automakers Lead Battery Recycling Efforts
Thousands of drivers in China are deserting their electric vehicles (EVs) without proper disposal, sparking environmental concerns. Meanwhile, automakers like Nissan and Renault are pioneering recycling initiatives to tackle this growing issue.
In China, cities like Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beijing are grappling with EV graveyards. Many EV batteries, particularly lithium-ion ones, reach their end of life and need recycling or disposal, leading to large-scale accumulations of retired electric cars in designated areas. The phenomenon is multi-causal, involving car-sharing companies going bankrupt and startups struggling to survive the electric car revolution.
Lithium batteries make up around 40 percent of the total electric vehicle price. This high cost makes repairs economically unattractive for some users, contributing to the abandonment issue. To address this, SUSTAINera Valorauto SAS, a joint venture by Stellantis and Galloo, launched Valorauto. This free service collects and dismantles out-of-use vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes, including both combustion and electric ones.
Nissan is also tackling the problem by repurposing old batteries from its Leaf vehicles. The company is using these batteries in automated guided vehicles in factories across Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. Similarly, Volkswagen has inaugurated its first recycling plant in Salzgitter, Germany, planning to recycle up to 3,600 battery systems per year during the pilot phase. Renault is also involved, recycling all the batteries from the electric cars it produces through a consortium with Veolia and Solvay.
The European Union is now making electric vehicle manufacturers responsible for ensuring units are not abandoned at the end of their lifespan. As the EV market grows, so does the need for robust recycling and disposal solutions. Automakers like Nissan, Renault, and Volkswagen are leading the way in repurposing and recycling EV batteries, setting a precedent for the industry.
