Reference Model for Electric Vehicle Battery Recovery in a Circular Economy

Abstract Electric vehicle batteries, which use a significant amount of critical materials, have the potential to be a reliable secondary source of those high-value materials at the end of their life to meet future needs. In this paper we present a reference model that can enable the development of new approaches for optimizing the value recovery of these materials. This recovery is made exceedingly complex by several issues. First, the battery supply chain is diverse and complex, featuring a multitude of different battery chemistries for use in electric vehicle batteries, each with unique recovery needs. Additionally, raw materials for the batteries are sourced globally, where each local market may feature market dynamics and regulatory frameworks that vary greatly from place to place. Next, current recycling practices in the US are nascent and often involve grinding the batteries into “black mass “ at the end of their use. Other recovery options exist but will require cooperation amongst stakeholder groups. A reference model for battery circularity is a starting point for discussions that could harmonize technical solutions for material and value recovery by identifying points of common interest among stakeholders. The model of battery circularity presented here illustrates different recovery pathways to circularize electric vehicle batteries, including repurposing, remanufacturing, and recycling. It aids in identifying opportunities for improved circularity of existing battery life cycles and determining gaps in design and manufacturing practices, recovery infrastructure, and standards. In particular, we found critical research gaps in determining the state of health of a battery and a scarcity of investigation into the remanufacturing of batteries and tracking of design information, such as the battery chemistry.