22
Aug, 2022
EET2

Top 5 Reasons To Recycle Car Batteries

Electric vehicles are often criticized for having problems with battery recycling. The industry does exist and is developing as the number of end-of-life units increases. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn some of the things you need to know about car battery recycling.

Recycling lead batteries

batteries

The battery recycling process is not new. The operation already aims to limit the pollution of soils and waterways with products that would sometimes cause serious problems to living organisms until they ultimately reach human beings.

This is the case for lead batteries, whose main element is particularly toxic and can seriously destabilize the nervous and digestive systems. Lead is classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic. Because a battery of this technology is abandoned in nature, lead particles can poison the water and the soils. The liquid electrolyte, in the form of acid, is also very corrosive to the skin; the vapors at the end of the charge are irritating to the respiratory tract.

Recycling of cadmium batteries

Since a certain European directive (2002/95/EC), the sale of new NiCd batteries to private individuals is forbidden. Reason: cadmium is particularly dangerous for the environment and toxic for human beings when it reaches its gaseous form, carcinogenic.

This is the case at the end of the charge of these batteries, characterized by the emission of vapors which, in addition to containing hydrogen, present traces of cadmium dangerous for the respiratory system. Another danger of NiCd batteries is that the potash used as electrolyte is very corrosive to the skin.

Recycling of lithium batteries

batteries

Today, lithium batteries are used more in electric cars. Without recycling, there is a risk that, in the long term, abandoned batteries of this technology will be carried away by fires, creating large irritating and toxic fumes, which may contain hydrogen fluoride. Lithium is a metal that attacks organic tissue. It reacts with oxygen, nitrogen, and water vapor in the air to form a substance that is also particularly corrosive.

Recovering the components

The other advantage of recycling traction batteries is to recover components whose prices tend to soar, which are not always available in large quantities, and which can be used again. The manufacture of lithium cells requires different materials and a number of metals, including, depending on the technology, copper, cobalt, aluminum, iron, manganese, tin, vanadium, titanium, graphite, etc. Their recovery allows to reduce the costs of battery recycling, tending towards the self-financing of the dedicated structures.

Crushing

batteries

Most battery recycling methods start with crushing. The crushing of lead batteries recovers the electrolyte, polypropylene granules from the shells, and fractions of the metal which, after passing through a furnace at 1,200°C, is freed of impurities and comes out of the line in the form of ingots. The latter will be used to produce new batteries or hunting projectiles.

Two processes coexist for the recycling of lithium batteries, which also start with a crushing:

  • In the hydrometallurgy technique, the ferrous metals are magnetically separated from the non-ferrous. The former are mined in steel mills. The others will undergo a chemical treatment via an acid solution, which will distinguish the different elements for the metallurgy sector.
  • Using the pyrometallurgy method, lithium battery waste is introduced into a furnace with the aim of separating the metals by condensation. Three products emerge the slag that will be used as road fill and for the manufacture of rock wool; the ferrous metals found in luxury cutlery, in the brake discs of high-speed trains, and in anti-stall bars; and the non-ferrous residues to be refined.

Looking for help?

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So, what are you waiting for? Give them a call to learn more about their services. Solar energy saves you money on your electricity bills and is environmentally friendly. So let’s take steps in the right direction and make a difference for our planet.

8
Apr, 2022
car

Buying a Used Electric Car: Good or Bad Idea?

The increasing taxation of internal combustion vehicles and the soaring price of gasoline is changing consumer habits. Consumers are leaning more and more towards electric cars. Due to lack of means, some of them resort to second-hand electric vehicles. So when is it a good deal?

The history of the electric car

car

The first experimental electric car was developed in 1835 in the Netherlands by Sibrandus Stratingh. But it was not until major progress was made on batteries in 1865 and then in 1881 that the electric car really began to develop. At the end of the 19th century, there were three main types of cars: steam engines, gasoline engines, and electric engines.

Unfortunately for the electric car industry, the improvements made to the internal combustion engine are rapidly following each other. While the progress made on the electric motor and the batteries are rare. This is one of the reasons why, during the first part of the 20th century, the electric car was abandoned for the thermal gasoline car. The latter became cheaper and had a greater range.

The electric car has known a few revivals of interest, but in the 2000s, it really returns to the forefront. So much so that nowadays, we can almost wonder about the future of diesel and gasoline in our road vehicles.

The advantages of buying a used electric car

Used cars have many advantages. You just need to ensure certain criteria and conditions are met regarding the vehicle. If necessary, going to the place of purchase with an expert in the field would be a great asset.

Vehicles with regular maintenance

A rental vehicle is, first and foremost, a vehicle that professionals regularly maintain. These car models are often found in professional fleets. They are mostly used for long or short-term rental with a purchase option.

In fact, electric vehicles offer relatively simple mechanics. Their maintenance is also much less expensive in the long run compared to thermal vehicles. One will now be exempt from belt changes, repeated oil changes, and clutch problems. In addition, the engine of electric vehicles wears out less quickly than that of thermal vehicles.

Economic and ecological vehicles

car

Electric cars are more economical. About 4 euros of maximum charge will allow you to travel 100 km. And this performance does not degrade over time, as in the case of thermal cars when they are poorly maintained. You don’t have to worry about rising fuel costs with the electric car.

The main reason is that electric cars do not usually travel long distances. The other reason is the fact that electric vehicles drive slower than combustion cars and are less prone to traffic accidents. In fact, insurance services offer very affordable rates for electric cars.

What criteria should a used electric car meet?

To claim to have made a good deal by buying your electric car, certain criteria must be met, mainly the battery’s condition.

The battery to be favored

The main element of the electric car is its battery. It is the most expensive part of the electric car. For this reason, the choice of the new or used electric car must be made according to the state of its battery. It is advisable to prefer lithium-ion batteries for a new or used vehicle.

The lithium-ion battery is much more powerful than the Ni-Cd or lead battery. The lithium-ion battery is more durable, but ecologically it is surpassed by the Ni-Cd battery. Lithium batteries also do not lose charge even when not in use.

What tests should be performed?

There are indeed applications to test the state of the battery of a used electric car. The concept connects the application to the car to measure the SOH (State of Health). It is still advisable to refer to a professional to choose the right electric vehicle.

What else should I know?

car

The life of an electric car battery has undergone considerable progress. Nowadays, many batteries have a life span of about ten years on average. In fact, because of their moderate speed, electric cars are very suitable for transporting children.

Buying a used electric car is a good idea, provided that the battery is in good condition. Experiments have shown that the lithium-ion battery is the most suitable. So, test the health of your battery before the deal is done.

Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about electric cars.