ev battery recycler hits 95% recovery rate in world-first collection program

Redwood Materials

Electric vehicle battery recycler Redwood Materials has provided an update 12 months after it started its California EV Battery Recycling Program.

The company founded by Tesla cofounder and former chief technical officer J. B. Straubel, has a mission to “build a circular supply chain to power a sustainable world and accelerate the reduction of fossil fuels.”

Founded in Nevada in 2017, Redwood launched the California EV Battery Recycling Program in February 2022 to develop pathways for end-of-life (EOL) battery packs to be disassembled, broken down and recycled.

Redwood already processes 6 GWh of lithium-ion batteries annually. This is the equivalent of 60,000 EVs which the company says is currently most of the recycled lithium-ion batteries in North America.

ev battery recycler hits 95% recovery rate in world-first collection program

Redwood Materials

“Non-extractive mining” the path to a circular economy

Termed “non-extractive mining” the goal is to make the extraction of valuable materials like lithium and nickel from used batteries more cost effective than traditional mining which would ultimately pave the way for a circular economy.

The great thing about electric vehicles is that the energy needed to power them can come from completely renewable resources, unlike petrol and diesel which required oil to be constantly extracted and burned to provide energy.

This means if effective EOL battery recycling processes can be developed, the materials involved can enter a closed loop recycling system which would dramatically reduce the need for mining once the world’s fleet is fully battery electric.

During the first 12 months of the Californian pilot program, Redwood says it has collected 1,268 EOL battery packs totalling around 500,000 pounds (227 tonnes) from 19 different BEV and hybrid models.

The company was able to extract over 95% of the metals from the used battery packs which included lithium, cobalt, nickel and copper.

ev battery recycler hits 95% recovery rate in world-first collection program

California EV Battery Recycling Pilot Program. Source: Redwood Materials

Developing the pathways for EOL battery packs

Redwood has been recycling battery packs for a few years now however the goal of the Californian pilot program was not only to prove the recycling technology but also develop the system of collection and delivery.

The company says that the Californian pilot is the largest program of is kind anywhere in the world.

Initially partnering with Ford and Volvo, Toyota and Volkswagen Group have also come on board and Redwood encourages other automakers to join the program saying they will accept all lithium-ion (Li-ion) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries in the state.

Redwood also works directly with dealers and dismantlers to identify and recover end-of-life packs.

Although Redwood is based in Nevada, it chose California for the pilot project because of the state’s longstanding leadership in the transition to electric transport.

In its update statement, Redwood says that California is the oldest and one of the largest EV markets globally and that EVs made up almost 19% of all new car sales in 2022. This means that the first wave of EOL battery packs will largely come from California. The pilot will serve as a model for other states.

Logistics is the major cost in the process

Interestingly the company says that the logistics involved in the system is the most significant cost. The company says that as the volumes of EOL batteries increase, economies of scale will bring these costs down significantly.

In it’s 12 month statement the company says “the key to reducing logistics costs for end-of-life battery packs is to achieve economies of scale through increased collection volume and Redwood is confident that, in time, as EOL pack volumes increase, the logistics cost will decrease so that batteries will become assets that will help make EVs more sustainable and affordable in the long run.”

“Today, Redwood’s recycling process is already profitable for smaller batteries, such as those found in consumer devices, and production scrap. As logistics becomes a smaller component of the overall value proposition, we anticipate a similar trend to happen for larger electric vehicle batteries in the coming years.” the company said.

As EV demand grows we will see EOL battery packs also grow significantly in the coming years. It’s great to see companies like Redwood getting ahead of the curve to develop not only the recycling technology but also the collection and delivery systems that a vital to the success of a truly circular economy.

Keyword: EV battery recycler hits 95% recovery rate in world-first collection program

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

2023 BMW iX M60 Review: Ramping up the Power

•    Auto123 reviews the 2023 BMW iX M60. BMW takes straight aim at Tesla and its top-selling Model X with the iX all-electric SUV’s new M60 edition. This is the third variant of the model BMW has put out, after the xDrive40 and iX xDrive50 that debuted with the 2022 ...

View more: 2023 BMW iX M60 Review: Ramping up the Power

Valencia MotoGP: Pramac Ducati on top in FP1 but it's Johann Zarco who leads the way

Johann Zarco helped secure a Ducati top four lockout in FP1 at Valencia, after beating Fabio Di Giannantonio to first place on his final flying lap. Title contender Jorge Martin made the perfect start to FP1 as he led the way early on from Marco Bezzecchi. The same couldn’t ...

View more: Valencia MotoGP: Pramac Ducati on top in FP1 but it's Johann Zarco who leads the way

Lewis Hamilton’s father named as “representative” at centre of Red Bull drama

Lewis Hamilton’s father has been named as the “representative” who was in contact with Red Bull. Anthony Hamilton made contact with Christian Horner, a Red Bull spokesperson told the BBC. But Anthony Hamilton is not officially involved in his son’s management anymore, which may explain the differing versions of ...

View more: Lewis Hamilton’s father named as “representative” at centre of Red Bull drama

MotorWeek Thanksgiving Retro Review Marathon Is The Perfect Way To Drowning Out Family Drama

Screenshot: YouTube/ MotorWeek Well hello and welcome again to another YouTube livestream of MotorWeek’s Retro Reviews, we’re glad to have you with us. The heroes at MotorWeek are already underway in their noble pursuit to save the Thanksgiving holiday with five straight days of free classic car reviews, starting ...

View more: MotorWeek Thanksgiving Retro Review Marathon Is The Perfect Way To Drowning Out Family Drama

2025 Subaru Forester, RUF-Restored Ford GT40, And An Exploded Engine: Rambling About Cars 151

We'll also have a cheap car challenge to find a road-trip vehicle for Thanksgiving.

View more: 2025 Subaru Forester, RUF-Restored Ford GT40, And An Exploded Engine: Rambling About Cars 151

Rivian Leasing Program Launching Next Week But Only For The R1T

This will mark the first time Rivian vehicles are available through a leasing scheme, but details are scarce for now.

View more: Rivian Leasing Program Launching Next Week But Only For The R1T

Hot Wheel’s Latest Exclusive Is A Dodge Power Wagon With A Swivel Frame

This Red Line Club car costs $30 for members.

View more: Hot Wheel’s Latest Exclusive Is A Dodge Power Wagon With A Swivel Frame

Finally! Rivian confirms R1T leasing program is coming very soon

Less than a week after pulling its first demand lever to get new customers behind the wheel of its existing R1T pickup inventory, Rivian is further incentivizing would be drivers by introducing a lease program for the first time. Rivian’s held a mainstay on Electrek‘s homepage the last month, ...

View more: Finally! Rivian confirms R1T leasing program is coming very soon

Ford caves on EV dealer program and will cut charger requirements

Ford caves on EV dealer program following IL loss and will cut charger requirements

Illinois High School's Racing Program Can't Race After Losing Insurance Policy

Fresh status of discussions revealed in VR46 vs Pramac tug-of-war for Moto2 star Fermin Aldeguer

Lewis and McLoughlin lead midway through dramatic Canberra

Esteban Ocon sorry for ‘not acceptable’ F1 fan treatment and reflects on lucky escape from drain drama

F1 confirm plan to resume FP2 at Las Vegas Grand Prix after manhole drama

Vegas FP1 drama sparks Vasseur/Wolff fury - for different reasons

In full: Toto Wolff’s “completely ridiculous” rant in defence of the Las Vegas GP after drain cover drama

Angry Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur labels Las Vegas GP drain cover drama “unacceptable for F1”

GM's Cruise cancels its employee equity program in fourth quarter

Tesla Supercharging Station is now in Sunway Pyramid

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel