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Background: why set up a European plan to regulate the recycling of electric batteries?
As part of the "climate packageFit for 55", l'phasing out the use of fossil fuels in favour of electric mobility by 2035 requires an in-depth review of the European automotive industry's manufacturing strategies. This also includes restrictions on sales of new vehicles with internal combustion engines that same year.
"Batteries are a key part of the decarbonisation process and of the EU's transition to zero-emission modes of transport. At the same time, end-of-life batteries contain many valuable resources and we need to be able to re-use these critical raw materials instead of relying on third countries for supplies. The new rules will boost the competitiveness of European industry and ensure that new batteries are sustainable and contribute to the green transition.
In addition, demand for batteries is expected to increase, due to :
- the digital economy,
- electric mobility,
- and renewable storage.
Similarly, the EU will need 18 times as much lithium by 2030, but also 5 times as much cobalt in the same year. By 2050, demand will be 60 and 15 times higher respectively.
In short, the aim of the regulations adopted is to :
- promote the circular economy,
- optimising the domestic battery market,
- reduce the ecological and social footprint of batteries,
- introduce new safety, durability and labelling standards to ensure fair competition.
The regulation adopted by the European Parliament and the Council will cover all batteries. This includes :
- the industrial batteries,
- the waste portable batteries,
- the electric vehicle batteries,
- the SLI batteries (used mainly in vehicles and machinery),
- the batteries for light means of transport (electric bicycles, electric mopeds and electric scooters).
If you would like to find out more about this type of recycling adapted to electric cars, our article "Recycling of battery of electric cars"You might also be interested in this.
What batteries are available in the European Union?
The European battery recycling plan is ambitious, but it is based on one fundamental element: the availability of batteries that are compatible with current recycling technologies. So what batteries are available in the European Union? What are their characteristics and advantages?
According to the European Parliament's research department, there are 4 types of battery in the European Union:
- Automotive batteries :
- They are specially designed for powering electric vehiclesproviding the energy needed to start the engine and power the vehicle's electrical components.
- They are characterised by their ability to withstand heavy loads and maintain stable voltage for reliable vehicle operation.
- Batteries for light vehicles :
- They are for light means of transport such as electric bikes, electric mopeds and electric scooters.
- They are designed to provide an adequate power supply while being lightweight and compact for practical use on small vehicles.
- Industrial batteries :
- These are electrochemical devices used in various industrial environments to supply equipment and machinery.
- They are generally designed to offer a large reliabilitya long service life and a ability to operate in difficult conditions or extreme.
- Portable batteries :
- These are compact energy sources designed to power portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, cameras, portable music players and toys.
- They are often slightof small size and offer a autonomy adapted to the needs of the appliances they supply.
Read also: Replacing an electric car battery: everything you need to know
Between now and 2030, global demand for batteries could increase 14-fold, while the EU could absorb 17 %.
This growth is mainly due to rise of the digital economyand renewable energies and low mobility carbon footprint. The rise of electric vehicles will position this field as a strategic market on a global scale.
What techniques are used to recycle these batteries?
Now that we understand the importance of battery recycling and the objectives of the European plan, it's time to look at the practical techniques used to give a second life to these essential components of electric mobility.
Recycling currently focuses on two major techniques: the pyrometallurgy and thehydrometallurgy.
- Pyrometallurgy : Based on the exploitation of high temperatures, this method seeks to separate and recover individual materials. In simple terms, a battery is introduced into a blast furnace, where specific temperatures are applied to obtain pure materials or alloys that can be used in new production processes.
- Hydrometallurgy : This is a more recent but fast-growing method, involving the separation of raw materials from the battery using chemical solvents. Operating at low temperature, it requires less energy, making it more efficient.
What is the purpose of the European plan to recycle electric vehicle batteries?
As previously stated, the European Union has put in place an ambitious plan for the recycling of batteries used in electric vehicles. But how does it intend to go about it? What resources have been put in place to meet this challenge? What are the targets?
Focus on the circular economy
The aim of the recent rules is to promoting a circular economy regulating the use of batteries throughout their life. They establish end-of-life criteria, including :
- objectives for recycling materials,
- extend producer responsibility,
- collection objectives and responsibilities.
As far as electric vehicles are concerned, these regulations now require minimum recycling thresholds (this also applies to industrial and SLI batteries). These thresholds are initially set at :
- 6 % for the nickel,
- 6 % for lithium,
- 16 % for cobalt,
- 85 % for lead.
In addition, batteries must be supplied with documentation detailing their recycled content.
What you need to know The recycling target is to reach 80 % for nickel-cadmium batteries and 50 % for other types of batteries by the end of 2025.
Reducing GHG emissions
Recent regulations place a duty of care on battery manufacturers to preventing human rights abuses and ensuring greater ethical standards in the manufacture of batteries.
To put this into context, battery production relies heavily on theimport of raw materials such as cobalt, lithium, nickel and manganese, giving rise to significant environmental and social impacts.
As a result, all companies selling batteries in the EU (with the exception of SMEs) must adopt and apply this comprehensive due diligence policy.
To ensure greater transparency, batteries with a capacity of more than 2 kWh will have to display a label highlighting their carbon footprint. They will also have to comply with environmental and social criteria concerning :
- the treatment,
- the trade,
- and thesupply raw materials, chemicals and secondary raw materials.
In addition, battery manufacturers are required to recover at least 63% of materials from end-of-life batteries by 2027, rising to 73% by the end of 2030. For lithium-ion batteries, the targets set indicate that recovery should reach 50% by 2027 and 80% by the end of 2030.
A level playing field for all manufacturers
In order to improve the functioning of the internal market for batteries, while ensuring fairer competition through stricter standards in terms of securityof sustainability andlabellingnew rules have been introduced.
To achieve this objective, performance, sustainability and safety criteria will be put in place, along with strict restrictions on hazardous substances such as :
- lead,
- mercury,
- cadmium,
- and mandatory information on the carbon footprint of batteries.
In addition, the regulation imposes requirements in terms oflabelling andinformationThese include battery components and recycled content, as well as an electronic 'battery passport' and QR code.
Read also : The electric car battery passport: what is it for?
To give Member States and industry enough time to prepare, the labelling requirements will come into force by 2026, while the QR code will come into force by 2027.
What are the limits of this European plan?
While Europe's battery recycling plan is ambitious and commendable, it is not without its critics. There are still a number of grey areas that could hamper its long-term effectiveness.
The cost of raw materials
Firstly, the European Court points out that rising production costs such as energy and raw materials could make batteries and therefore electric vehicles unaffordable for many owners (despite the many financial assistance for electric cars).
Indeed, the cost of raw materials has risen significantly, with an increase in the price of nickel more than 70 % and lithium 870 % in the space of two years. Given that a battery represents 40 % of the total price of a vehicleThe cost of purchasing this type of vehicle is unlikely to fall.
This would potentially lead to a falling demand for electric vehicles and a reduced economic interest investment in production facilities.
Increased dependence on competitors
It is important to remember that the context of international competition is demanding.
In fact, China currently has a dominant share of 76 % in global battery manufacturing, while the EU has 7 %.
But that's not all: the EU is 78 % dependent on imports of 5 raw materials (nickel, cobalt, manganese, lithium, natural graphite), mainly from a few countries:
- Australia: 87 % raw lithium
- Democratic Republic of Congo : 68 % of cobalt
- China : 40 % natural graphite
What's more, the EU has not yet established free trade agreements with these major world producers, which could jeopardise supplies due to geopolitical risks.
Furthermore, the EU is experiencing difficulties in extracting minerals from its own subsoil. Although lithium is present in Portugal and France, it takes an average of 12 to 16 years from discovery to the start of production.
The attractiveness of the US plan compared to the EU plan
The EU must resolve another challenge identified by the European Court: its lack of attractiveness to investors.
To the detriment of the EU, battery producers could be attracted by the United States and its IRA. This IRA is a massive programme of subsidies known as the Inflation Reduction Act, designed to encourage companies to set up battery production plants.
This country directly supports the production of batteries and the purchase of electric vehicles manufactured locally using American components. In all, Washington plans to spend almost 16 billion dollars7.7 billion for Europe.
Conclusion
The European battery recycling plan is an important step in the right direction. It is a necessary initiative to ensure the sustainability of the electricity sector and to meet growing environmental demands.
However, it is important to note that this plan is not without its challenges. Major efforts will have to be made to improve the profitability of recycling, develop the necessary infrastructure and skills, and simplify regulations.
What's more, the success of this plan will depend on the collaboration of all the players involved: governments, industry, researchers and the general public. It is by joining forces that we can meet the challenge of battery recycling and build a more sustainable future for electric mobility.
Don't hesitate to consult our other articles to find out more about electromobility, a rapidly expanding sector.
For allinstallation of a recharging point or electric car, our experts Beev are here to support you in your eco-friendly initiative.
