Using retired EV batteries cuts more carbon emissions than recycling

A collaborative study by researchers from the University of Münster, Fraunhofer Research Institution, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory analyzed end-of-life strategies for electric vehicle (EV) batteries in California through 2050. They compared three scenarios: immediate recycling, minimal reuse, and prioritizing second-life use in stationary energy storage before recycling. The findings show that repurposing retired EV batteries as grid-connected storage—especially in regions with high renewable energy penetration—can reduce carbon emissions more significantly than recycling alone. Specifically, second-life use could cut an additional 8 million tons of CO₂ emissions beyond the 48 million tons avoided by direct recycling, totaling 56 million tons of avoided emissions by substituting new battery manufacturing with refurbished packs. However, the study also highlights an impending oversupply of retired EV batteries that will exceed California’s stationary storage demand by mid-century, even when using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries favored for such applications. This surplus underscores the urgent need for early investment in large-scale recycling