UK’s Altilium and Europe’s Lunaz have unveiled a groundbreaking partnership to provide an eco-friendly solution for transporting and discharging used EV batteries for recycling.
Why It Matters
With millions of EV batteries expected to reach end-of-life in the coming decade, efficient and sustainable recycling methods are vital. The partnership aims to offer a circular solution, reducing carbon emissions and supporting the development of a domestic circular economy for battery metals.
Key Points
- The innovative initiative has secured backing from the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF).
- Lunaz will employ its unique electrification knowledge to design a prototype upcycled electric Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) for safely moving end-of-life EV batteries.
- This specialized HGV will be adept at capturing and operating on any residual electrical energy within these batteries, ensuring they’re eco-friendly transported to Altilium’s designated recycling hubs and appropriately discharged before recycling.
- Altilium has ambitious plans to inaugurate the UK’s largest EV battery recycling plant in Teesside come 2026, boasting the ability to process batteries from 150,000 EVs annually.
- Lunaz prides itself on ‘upcycling’ vehicles, letting companies and governments retrofit their vehicle fleets with cleaner powertrains. Lunaz’s approach can conserve up to 82% of a vehicle’s inherent carbon.
Bottom Line
Both Altilium and Lunaz are pioneering the EV battery recycling domain, with a shared vision to enhance sustainability. Their combined effort aims to address the transportation challenges of old EV batteries, targeting a potential 5% reduction in the carbon footprint associated with battery recycling. This partnership signifies a significant step toward a more sustainable, circular economy in the EV battery sector.
