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EV battery recycling from a Tesla Motors engineer

post #1 of 15
Thread Starter 

One of the Tesla engineers went head on at skeptics regarding the contents and recycling of their battery packs, or Energy Storage Systems (ESS) in the company blog.

 

First, he debunked the assumptions of toxic contents in the batteries - it turns out that there is no:

 

  1. Lead
  2. Mercury
  3. Cadmium
  4. Hexavalent chromium (chromium xxx or Cr6+)
  5. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
  6. Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)

 

In the end, 60% of the pack gets recycled, another 10% reused in new batteries, and only "benign fluff" ends up getting landfilled. Further, they claim that as they hit scale they'll be able to recycle even more by separating out additional plastic from the ESS. I think it's the best possible strategy to be public about this stuff. Good call Tesla.


Edited by deej - Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:17:14 GMT
post #2 of 15

 

Yeah one of the biggest myths about EVs and hybrids is that their batteries are going to die rapidly, are toxic, and will clog up landfills.

 

Toyota has dealt with these myths in a similar fasion, discussing hybrid battery recycling on their Battery Q&A page.


Edited by dana1981 - Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:19:26 UTC
post #3 of 15

The new "Car czar," Edward Montgomery will undoubtedly be a fan, as he is set to take an oversight role of the automotive industry since they got so much of our money.  The Scoot Coupe is a three wheeled vehicle that gets almost 80 mpg, and goes up to 55 mph.  You won't need credit repair if you get one either – it retails for under $7,000.  It's manufactured by Panther Motors in Florida, but it doesn't register as a car.  It registers as a motorcycle, and it's perfect for moderate distance transport.  If most of your driving takes place in town, then a Scoot Coupe is right up your alley.  It's set to revolutionize the scooter industry, and it might have a legitimate shot.  It might be worth a no fax cash advance to order a Scoot Coupe.

post #4 of 15

This is good to hear (read <grin>). 

 

There are some issues with batteries, but the most important issue is educating the public about proper maintenance and sensible use.  Proper use of batteries will require a little more work (in the near future) compared to the current IC engines.  I think, over time, the industry will improve the durability and make them increasingly "idiot-proof", as the automobile industry has done with the IC engine.

post #5 of 15

Agreed.  Battery recycling is very important.  Even if infrastructure like the kind envisioned by Better Place (with battery swapping instead of filling up with gasoline) does happen, ultimately there would still be batteries used.  And that would mean when they're spent, they'd have to be dealt with.  So hopefully it's true about the "benign fluff."  And hopefully other EV cars will use similar technology wihtout all those bad chemicals.

post #6 of 15

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by WyattQ View Post The Scoot Coupe is a three wheeled vehicle that gets almost 80 mpg, and goes up to 55 mph.  You won't need credit repair if you get one either – it retails for under $7,000. 


Those rent in Santa Cruz: http://www.cruzcarz.com/  Great fun, but I think the maximum is 30 mph, and it has a centrifugal clutch- which will not engage to the wheels if you have 2 heavy people or dare to try a hill! Very similar to the GoCar (it is a Trigger- Netherlands I think) in San Francisco.

post #7 of 15

Even 95%+ of the material in lead acid batteries is recycled.  Lead is too valuable to just throw away and the cells only "die" because the lead gets converted to a hard form of lead sulphate that is not easy to dissolve using just electric current (or can't do because the lead paste has fallen out of the retaining grid plates and is sitting as a sludge at the bottom of the cell doing nothing).

 

The plastics used in these batteries is all recyclable as well and most countries have free battery recycling collection by shops or local authorities because the lead is toxic if thrown away and it is such a valuable commodity.

 

60% of all lead mined is used in batteries.

 

post #8 of 15

Quite funny in a way, many nay-sayers about batteries are having to eat crow!  With different fuel standards it  gives me a feeing of "I told you so" mentally - and feel a little bit better about being a nerd in 2001 when I ventured into electric vehicles.

post #9 of 15

I think many are actually aware - and have no idea how to solve - the issue with general batteries going to land fills by the millions (ie: AA, AAA, C, D, 9v, and other types).  ...so when they hear of potentially millions of cars with really big batteries, they kinda have a knee-jerk reaction regarding the battery issue - which also gives the nay-sayers some percieved legitimacy.  These EV batteries can be recycled and very likely will be as service will be handled thru dealers and car garages that will get money for them.

 

People seem to forget that every single car, golf cart, etc. has a heavy lead-acid battery - millions out there driving around!  They are most often recycled for the core deposit.  If these are recycled, why would the even more valuable BEV and Hybrid batteries not be?!?!

post #10 of 15
if batteries can be recycled, then one of the biggest concerns on hybrid cars is solved. this topic as been brought up by critics saying batteries are more toxic than gasoline, which can be true.
Edited by archebald23 - 12/14/09 at 7:52pm
post #11 of 15

I’ve heard of new lithium - ion battery technology that Li-Ion Motors corp. is using to manufacture its electric cars. I use my car on regular purposes but due to sky rocking prices of gasoline, it has become too expense for me to use. I am thinking of buying a new electric car. Can anyone suggest me the most affordable electric cars with high speed and acceleration??? 

post #12 of 15

There aren't many affordable highway speed EVs available yet.  The Green Vehicles Triac is one option.  Mitsubishi is starting to produce more of their iMievs.  Nissan will be offering the LEAF in the near future.  Then of course there's the Chevy Volt which is a plug-in hybrid that will be availabe at the end of this year.

post #13 of 15

Nice decision taken by Tesla Motors for Battery Recycling. Although Lead Acid Battery Recycling is the good for the earth and save our environment.

post #14 of 15

Something was in the newspaper about Tesla hitting the stock market today I believe.  I suppose that is why short sale florida realtor appeared above;  so someone in Florida can invest in Tesla.

post #15 of 15

as what i read on the blog, the battery can now be recycled. well this is nice. it really helps a lot in promoting the environmental awareness. this is a nice news. i guess every auto repair shops must think of way on how to do some recycling.

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