Cox Automotive’s EV Battery Solutions division has surpassed 10 million pounds of recovered black mass, a powder-like material containing lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. The milestone reflects the company’s expanding role in managing EV battery lifecycles from handling and logistics through end-of-life recycling.
Highlights
- EV Battery Solutions has recovered more than 10 million pounds of black mass from recycled lithium-ion batteries.
- The company’s Oklahoma City facility uses a patented dry recycling process that achieves up to 94% material recovery.
- EVs represented roughly 5% of lease maturities in 2025 and are projected to exceed 12% in 2026 and reach approximately 23% by 2028.
- Recovered materials can be refined and reintegrated into new battery production, reducing reliance on virgin mining.
Growing Volume Drives Recycling Demand
As more EVs enter the used market, the volume of batteries reaching end-of-life is accelerating. Cox Automotive projects that EV lease maturities will more than double between 2025 and 2026. That rising volume creates an urgent need for safe diagnostics, handling, and responsible recycling infrastructure.
The company’s approach spans repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling. EV Battery Solutions uses proprietary depowering and dry-shredding technologies designed to minimize fire risk during processing.
“This milestone is proof that circularity in the EV battery ecosystem is moving from concept to scale,” said Brian Skalovsky, director of battery recycling for EV Battery Solutions by Cox Automotive. “Every pound we recover represents valuable materials kept in circulation, and a more responsible path forward as more EVs enter the used market.”
Dry Recycling Process in Oklahoma City
At its Oklahoma City recycling center, Cox Automotive operates a patented process that eliminates water and chemical treatments. Technicians perform mechanical disassembly, shredding, and air-based separation to extract high-value materials. The process achieves up to 94% material recovery, according to the company.
“This is about building the infrastructure that makes electrification work in the real world,” said Lea Malloy, vice president of EV Battery Solutions by Cox Automotive. “By extending battery life through repair and remanufacturing, and responsibly recycling at the end of life, we’re helping close the loop for electric mobility.”
What Is Black Mass?
Black mass is the dark, powder-like substance produced when lithium-ion batteries undergo mechanical recycling. It typically contains lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. These materials can be refined and fed back into new battery manufacturing.
Global Facility Network
EV Battery Solutions operates battery service facilities in Oklahoma City, Belleville, Michigan, Las Vegas, Conyers, Georgia, Ede in the Netherlands, and Rugby in the United Kingdom. Select Manheim locations also provide battery services.
For more information, visit coxautoinc.com/ev-battery-solutions.
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