Published in ERW, 30 Mar 2015
Researchers in the US have revealed the most economic and environmentally friendly way to recycle electric-car batteries in California, the country’s biggest adopter of electric vehicles. The study found that pyrometallurgical material recovery, two or fewer in-state dismantling facilities, and rail transport were all beneficial, and could serve as the basis for recycling assessments in other parts of the world.
The adoption of electric cars has risen quickly in the US, with a doubling of sales between 2012 and 2013, and a further 30% increase projected for last year. According to a 2013 report by the US National Research Council, by 2050, electric cars will account for 80% of new car sales. That’s seen as good news for the environment, because recharging an electric-car battery generates less emissions than burning fuel in a combustion engine, particularly as centralized electricity generation is likely to be made less carbon-intensive over time. […]
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