New report calls for harmonized EV battery recycling regulations

Automakers and Canada’s largest consumer battery recycling program are calling on governments across the country to develop a harmonized plan on how to dispose of electric-vehicle batteries once they’re no longer useful in vehicles.  

The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association (CVMA), which represents the interests of the Detroit Three automakers in Canada, and Call2Recycle Inc., a not-for-profit organization that provides a battery recycling program, on Tuesday released a report on what needs to be done. 

The report, entitled EV Battery Management at End-of-Vehicle Life, highlights opportunities to harmonize the developing EV battery management ecosystem and calls for greater coordination and alignment of policies across the country. 

“As vehicles are designed, tested, and sold in a highly integrated North American market, so too should the management of EV batteries be harmonized to support the development of common processes, efficiency of scale, and a competitive market,” CVMA CEO Brian Kingston said in a statement.  

The report examines current EV battery life expectancy, management practices, battery performance and diagnostics methods, and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholder groups involved in EV battery management at end-of-vehicle life.  

‘MYTH’ VS. REALITY

The report says it’s a “myth” that EV batteries last between eight and 10 years and then need to be recycled. Instead, the report says “EV batteries last on average between 15 and 18 years and in some instances are reaching 21 years before being removed from automotive use.” 

According to the report, Canada has two commercially active recycling processors, and two additional demonstration plants are operational. By 2024 it is expected that at least four recycling processors will be commercially operational. 

Batteries removed from a vehicle may have significant capacity for alternative uses such as energy storage, which might extend the life of a battery by up to 10 additional years, at least one company that repurposes batteries told the authors of the report.

Batteries generally are removed if the vehicle is no longer performing to a customer’s satisfaction or if the vehicle has sustained irreparable damage, the report says. “In either circumstance, the removed battery may still have a significant portion of its charging capacity available when it is no longer suitable for use in the vehicle,” the report says. “This has generated great interest and innovation to identify and redeploy EV batteries for secondary life applications such as standby energy storage where they would remain in use for many years before they would need to be recycled.” 

Statistics Canada shows electric vehicle registrations, including hybrids, have grown significantly over the last decade and now represent 10 per cent of total new vehicle sales in 2021. 

MORE EVS ON THE WAY

If only zero-emission vehicle sales are considered — this excludes hybrid vehicles by definition — that number is 5.2 per cent. There are currently 75 electric models available in Canada, but more than120 electric models are expected by 2023. 

The CVMA and Call2Recyle call for one national EV battery end-of-vehicle life management policy to be adopted across all Canadian jurisdictions and aligned where possible on a continental basis.  

“A patchwork of provincial or regional requirements is likely to impede the evolving and efficient management of EV batteries,” the two organizations warn. 

They also want governments to ensure all policies affecting EV batteries support their entire useful life across all pathways, be it recycling or repurposing. The two warn that not all EV batteries are created equally. 

“Due to the long life of EV batteries, avoid mandating recovery rates or specific retirement dates of EV batteries as this will prematurely force batteries to be removed from the market,” the report warns. “Avoid mandating specific management methods such as repurposing prior to recycling.  

“Due to the changing value of EV batteries, market forces of supply and demand, along with increasing knowledge of battery health, will influence the pathway each battery will follow and will likely change based on commodity prices, geographic region, and distance batteries need to travel.” 

They also recommend governments set storage and safety requirements for facilities storing any EV batteries indoors or outdoors to ensure batteries are managed in a way to minimize risk of thermal events, environmental impacts, and preserve the integrity of the battery.