In short:
Figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show more than 27,000 battery electric vehicles were sold nationally in August.
asserted
vehicles → show → August
Due to a materially complex makeup, EV batteries can be difficult to recycle.
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batteries → recycle → makeup
Experts and industry voices say better EV battery waste management options will be needed as the fleet grows.
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fleet → say → ?
As electric vehicle (EV) use rapidly grows in Australia, experts say the country's battery recycling industry must prepare for the looming influx of waste from old EV fleets, while drivers say more awareness is needed about battery management.
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awareness → grow → management
According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, 27,089 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold nationally in August; the highest number of fully electric vehicles sold in a single month in Australia.
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vehicles → accord → Australia
These sales represented 24.9 per cent of the entire new vehicle market.
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sales → represent → market
Marlene Caudillo traded her petrol car for her first EV about six months ago, after driving her partner's electric car.
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Caudillo → trade → car
She said the environmental impact heavily influenced her decision.
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impact → say → decision
"We try to be very conscious about what we're buying," she said.
"If a car gives you a good experience driving it, plus it's environmentally friendly … it's really important."
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it → try → it
Ms Caudillo said she did not initially realise electric vehicle batteries could be re-purposed and recycled when they reach end-of-life, and believes EV owners should be better informed.
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owners → say → life
"Knowing myself that I'm buying something that can be re-used in the future … I'm feeling happy," she said.
"I feel like that knowledge should be out there [for EV users]."
Complex recycling process
Modern EVs predominantly use lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries or nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries, while most petrol and diesel cars use lead-acid batteries.
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cars → know → batteries
As with any other e-waste, none of these battery types can be disposed of in landfill.
However, due to the materially complex make-up of EV batteries, they are recycled much less frequently than lead-acid batteries.
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they → dispose → batteries
Queensland's peak motoring body RACQ runs a free state-wide recycling program.
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body → run → program
Dr Micheal Kane, executive manager of public policy, confirmed while EV batteries can be re-used and repurposed, they are not currently an accepted type by RACQ.
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they → confirm → RACQ
"RACQ collects [for] recycling low voltage automotive, marine, and deep cycle batteries … through our network of RACQ Assistance and auto stores," he said.
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he → collect → Assistance
Envirostream is a Melbourne-based recycler that specialises in recycling end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.
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that → base → batteries
The company's recycling process begins with collecting batteries from all over Australia and taking them to the workshop to be safely discharged.
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process → begin → workshop
Large batteries are then dismantled into smaller pieces so critical minerals can be extracted.
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minerals → dismantle → pieces
These are then sent to Envirostream's partner companies who further refine the materials and use them in new batteries.
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who → send → batteries
Chief executive Simon Linge said lithium-ion batteries have to be handled particularly carefully because they are larger, and have a significantly higher energy density than lead-acid batteries.
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they → say → batteries
"Lead acid batteries typically [weigh] 15-20kgs a piece, an EV battery [ranges] from 300 to 700 kilos in weight," he said.
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he → weigh → weight
"Both are dangerous and hazardous goods; both can have fires, but a lithium-ion battery fire holds a lot more energy and therefore is a much bigger fire … so it's why in our operation safety is paramount.
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safety → hold → operation
Sector 'not yet' keeping pace with growth
Mr Linge believes it is crucial for Australia to handle old batteries onshore to prevent harmful practices.
"
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Australia → keep → practices
We have the opportunity, by recycling these batteries, for Australia to play its part at building our own sovereign capabilities of capturing these materials … and reformatting those materials into other applications."
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Australia → have → applications
University of Queensland lecturer Dr Kai Li Lim, from the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, said Australia's EV battery management sector is "not yet" keeping pace with the growth of EV use.
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sector → say → use
But he said he was not concerned about whether the sector would catch up.
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sector → say → ?
"I think quite confidently that they will expand in time for when EVs need to be recycled … the question is how do we prepare for it?"he said.
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we → think → it?"he
"I think what needs to happen is the training of skills here in this country … so they will train people to be able to handle [electric vehicle] batteries and to recycle [electric vehicle] batteries."
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they → think → batteries
"I am quite confident that [Australia] will be able to get to that stage … but not just Australia … there will be demand globally."
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Australia → get → stage
The Aporia