Volvo is partnering with CATL to recycle batteries for its electric vehicles

Battery recycling, especially from electric vehicles, is a large and sensitive subject. If they are technically reusable than what we can hear, theoretical recycling is nothing if it does not translate into concrete actions.

In China, Volvo Cars and CATL have just announced an agreement between the manufacturer, which is moving towards all-electricity, and its battery producer. “Volvo Cars will collect the used batteries and send them to downstream suppliers authorized by Volvo Cars for recycling and extraction of metals such as nickel, cobalt and lithium. CATL will use these recycled materials to produce new electric batteries for cars manufactured by Volvo . Cars”explains CATL.

The two partners hope to recycle 90% of these metals. In comparison, European regulations set a minimum recycling rate for batteries at the end of their life of 50% of their total mass. These recycled metals will make it possible to reduce the extraction of new raw materials, which are widely criticized for their environmental and sometimes social impacts.

It remains to be seen if Volvo and CATL will honor their commitment and if this program will not be reduced to recycling the batteries of only some of the electric vehicles that have reached the end of their life. At this point, two partners pledge “establish an effective, collaborative and transparent management system to ensure that the entire recycling and production process meets the quality requirements of both parties and complies with the legal and regulatory requirements of “regulatory authorities from different parts of the world.”