The duration and extension of battery life in electric vehicles is a topic that is becoming increasingly important as electrification continues. Except that behind the fine speeches, the difficulties are palpable.
While France inaugurated its gigafactory of batteries a few weeks ago and the public authorities no longer swear (or almost) only by electricity, the principle of the circular economy has just taken a hit. If the manufacturers announce all the time that they want to reuse the batteries of electric vehicles, the experts are far from being so affirmative, as we learn from our colleagues from Reuters.
He will be ” difficult to give a second life » to the batteries of electric cars
To generate a circular economy in the sector, car manufacturers around the world have already announced their intention to reuse the batteries of electric vehicles, when they lose power. Except that for the consulting firm Circular Energy Storage (CES), specializing in the volumes and prices of batteries, this desire could have harmful effects.
” The assumption that electric vehicle batteries will only last eight to ten years and that owners will trade them in is simply not true. “, explains the firm’s founder, Hans Eric Melin, for whom he will be “ difficult to give a second life to devices.
However, the European Union will impose the battery passport by 2026 for electric vehicles, a measure that will precisely make it possible to better monitor the overall life of batteries and their carbon footprint. But although it is entirely possible to reuse a battery from a bus, a truck or a user, ” it will take longer for the batteries of cars used by individuals to be reused on a large scale “.
The batteries, coveted elsewhere…
After eight to ten years of use, the capacity of batteries used for electric vehicles drops below 85 to 80%. They can then be reused to power buildings or balance local energy networks in particular. Meanwhile, automakers, such as Nissan and Mercedes, have implemented their own second-life battery frameworks.
But the lifespan of thermal cars remains very long, and electric vehicles manufactured ten years ago are still on the road. ” So there is, so to speak, no market for second-life batteries Today, testifies the boss of the German start-up Fenecon, which specializes in this sector.
Recycling also harms this circular battery economy. If it consumes more energy and carbon, the demand for cellular materials allows it to remain economically more attractive than reusing the battery in another car. In other words: recycling (and the resulting sale of valuable raw materials) is more profitable today than the circular economy.
The use of old batteries for network storage is also becoming important. In 2030, it will reach 680 gigawatt hours with our British neighbors, compared to 16 gigawatt hours in 2021. In the United States, companies are talking directly with insurers to recover Tesla batteries. For now, it is more commercial vehicles that would be favored by the automotive industry to take advantage of second-life batteries.
Source : Reuters
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