Audi and battery recycler Redwood Materials are joining for collect end-of-life batteries from cell phones, electric toothbrushes and other lithium-ion powered devices at participating dealerships across the country.
Beginning in November, consumers can deposit their laptops, cell phones, electric bicycles, electric scooters, electric toothbrushes, vacuum cleaners, electric drills and other rechargeable devices at dealerships. Recycling bins will be available for the “foreseeable future at select dealerships”said a spokeswoman.
The program, which expands the association of Redwood to recycle batteries Audi y Volkswagen EV marks the first time the Nevada-based recycler has worked with an automaker to collect household lithium-ion batteries. Batteries and devices collected in the containers will be sent to the collection facility. Redwood to be reused as sustainable home EV batteries.
As the largest player in the burgeoning battery recycling industry, Redwood has a chance to solve a raw material shortage that threatens to undermine automakers' aggressive global electric vehicle sales targets. Creating a sustainable closed-loop home battery supply chain can supply the millions of new electric vehicles scheduled to hit the road in the coming years, while also meeting incentive guidelines under the Reduction Act. of inflation. The bill provides tax credits for electric vehicles whose batteries are built with recycled content.
About 15 million tons of lithium-ion batteries are expected to be retired by 2030, the deadline most automakers have set for phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles, according to AquaMetals. Redwood projects global demand for lithium-ion batteries to grow six-fold, or more than 500%, over the next decade.
