Economics and Challenges of Li-Ion Battery Recycling from End-of-Life Vehicles

This study sheds light on current and future recycling methods for spent Li-ion batteries from retired vehicles. The demands of Li-ion batteries for automotive applications and power electronics are expected to increase significantly in the next 15-20 years. Recycling cathode materials from end-of-life batteries provides a sustainable source of materials, and offers an economic alternative for some of the high value elements such as cobalt and nickel. Insights and directions for future R&D will be presented in this paper based on the results of the supply chain and techno-economic analyses made for end-of-life li-ion batteries.