Electric car myth: Electric car batteries must be disposed of quickly and are harmful to the environment
Electric car batteries are extremely durable – much more durable than was thought a few years ago. They can easily last for 300,000 km and even then still retain 80% of their capacity.
When they are no longer needed in cars, they are given a ‘second life’ as energy storage devices or are cleverly recycled – modern processes recover up to 95% of the raw materials.
Find out how it all works in this article
And besides: modern battery recycling with up to 95% recovery
Summary: batteries are not an environmental problem, but part of the solution
Myth 6: Electric car batteries have to be disposed of after a few years, which is harmful to the environment.
In short:
- False. Electric car batteries are extremely durable (300,000 kilometres and more). They do not have to be removed and disposed of after just a few years.
- Once they have reached the end of their useful life, they are given a second life, e.g. as stationary energy storage devices for solar systems or power grids.
- Only when further use is no longer possible are modern recycling processes used, which recover up to 95% of the raw materials.
- The reuse and recycling of batteries is now part of the solution, not the problem.
Do used batteries need to be recycled after a few years?
No. It takes years before an electric car battery is no longer used in a car. The average service life of a battery is much longer than was previously assumed. An electric car battery can easily cover 300,000 km and still retain around 80% of its capacity.
In Switzerland, the average person travels 12,000 km per year by car. With this annual mileage, the battery will last 25 years or more before it needs to be replaced.
And even when the battery needs to be removed, it doesn't just end up in the rubbish.
Electric car batteries have a second life!
Electric car batteries are not discarded, but repurposed.
Ultimately, an electric car battery is simply a battery with a lot of storage power.
Depending on the model, an electric car battery has a storage capacity of between 24 kWh (in the Fiat 500e) and 118 kWh (in the Lucid Air). They do not necessarily have to remain installed in electric cars. After their initial use in electric cars, the batteries often find a second home as energy storage devices:
Energy storage for solar systems: Former electric car batteries store excess solar energy and release it in the evening, at night or during bad weather.
Stabilisation of power grids: Batteries buffer excess energy (e.g. when a lot of wind or solar power is fed into the grid) and release it again when demand is higher. This can prevent power outages and make renewable energy more reliable.
Energy storage for businesses or households: Companies or private households can use used batteries as stationary storage to temporarily store cheap electricity and avoid expensive peak load times. This reduces energy costs and makes sustainable energy concepts more economically attractive.
This is not a vision of the future. Electric car batteries are already being used sustainably as electricity storage devices today. There are currently various pilot projects, but also already established ‘second life’ companies:
In Japan, Nissan uses old batteries from the Nissan Leaf as storage for buildings and street lighting.
In Leipzig, BMW uses 700 old batteries from the i3 in a large storage power plant for surplus wind energy.
Tesla uses old batteries in its energy projects, for example in an energy storage project in California.
But here's the funny thing: a few years ago, there were numerous ‘second life’ start-ups that were willing to use used electric car batteries for other purposes. However, these start-ups have gone under. This is because there simply aren't enough old batteries. Most electric car batteries are still installed in electric cars and continue to charge without any problems.
And otherwise: Modern battery recycling with up to 95% recovery
When a battery can no longer be used, for example because it is damaged, it does not simply end up in the bulky waste. Today's recycling methods are extremely clever and ensure that most of the materials in the battery are reused:
Processes such as those used by Redwood Materials, Northvolt and Umicore manage to recover up to 95% of valuable raw materials such as lithium, nickel and cobalt.
These materials go directly into the manufacture of new batteries.
This means less mining of raw materials, less environmental impact and greater sustainability.
The idea that batteries are disposed of entirely as ‘hazardous waste’ is simply wrong. In reality, they contribute to the efficient use and reuse of raw materials. This makes e-mobility as a whole more sustainable, not more harmful to the environment.
With Gowago, you drive a better used electric car
We are fed up with half-truths and lack of transparency when it comes to used cars – especially used electric cars. That's why we give you full transparency. With a Gowago Certified Pre-Owned Electric Car, you ALWAYS get a tested car with a battery certificate and at least a 12-month warranty. The battery and drive system come with at least a 3-year warranty on exclusive offers. Wow.
Discover Gowago Certified Pre-Owned Electric Cars
Summary: Batteries are not an environmental problem, but part of the solution
Electric car batteries last for decades and, after their use in cars, are cleverly reused as energy storage devices for solar systems, power grids or businesses. Only when they can no longer be used are recycling processes employed that recover up to 95% of the raw materials. Instead of creating waste, batteries make the energy transition more sustainable and efficient. Your battery not only lasts a long time, it continues to work for a greener future afterwards.
Let's debunk the other myths! Let's Go.
That was just one of many myths surrounding used electric cars.
There are a few other preconceptions that persist – but have little to do with the facts. Discover the other myths now and find out why a used electric car is often the better choice.
To the overview of electric car myths
