Sustainability Solutions for Electric Vehicle (EV) Batteries

Driven by a need to store energy and increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), the automotive industry has seen major growth in the use of battery technologies in EV and hybrid vehicles. 

EVs do not contribute to air pollution or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions the way internal combustion vehicles do—on the road. EV battery manufacturing, however, can produce far more GHG emissions, due to the types of minerals that must be mined to make the battery. 

EVs typically use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Batteries like these use proven, reliable technology that lasts many years. However, the question remains what to do with batteries that reach end-of-life. 

ELV (End of Vehicle Life) considerations require OEMs to ensure the majority of vehicle components are kept from landfills. Therefore, potential Second Life re-assignment of used EV batteries can help OEMs to meet these aggressive targets. 

The impact of EV batteries can be mitigated by extending battery life through (i) improved design, (ii) refurbishment (reuse), and (iii) metal recovery (recycling) at end-of-life.

EV batteries can be repurposed to power buildings, homes, and even future vehicles. With remaining functionality, they can find new use in power packs for mobile vehicle charging stations; without functionality, they can still be ground to a fine powder to extract valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. The materials can be rebuilt into future EV batteries.

How Intertek Can Help 

Intertek can help OEMs evaluate the environmental impact of their EV batteries. Novel battery technologies have a wide range of carbon footprints and impacts; by quantifying these metrics, manufacturers can better comply with automotive requirements and reach their environmental, sustainability, and social responsibility goals. 

We also help clients implement manufacturing processes that maximize resource-efficiency. We specialize in developing tailored programs to manage operations and the supply chain and facilitate successful regulatory compliance in jurisdictions across the globe. Our expert support can help grow your business while reducing its energy and water footprint.

Intertek’s sustainability services include:

• Life Cycle Assessment for products and processes
• Product assurance through Carbon Footprint Evaluation
• Carbon Footprint Certifications: CarbonClear™ and CarbonZero™
• Certification of re-purposed EV batteries for stationary Energy Storage applications

In addition, we help companies involved in developing innovative chemistries for EV batteries that use new substances. These services include:

•  Developing strategies for placing substances on the market and meeting regulatory obligations
• Support with registrations and notification for new substances
• US TSCA chemical regulatory services – Section 5: PMN, BFI and NOC
• Analytical testing

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Sustainability Solutions for the Automotive Industry