Electric car batteries have longer lives than you think. When they no longer function optimally in the car, new possibilities open up — and an important part of the energy system of the future takes shape.
When an electric car battery has been demoted to 70— 80% of its original capacity and no longer suitable for vehicle operation, its life cycle is far from over. The battery still has many useful years left.
A battery that is too weak for an electric car is perfect for stationary energy storage. This is called “Second Life” It is a central part of the circular economy.
Second Life batteries are used to:
Companies like Nissan and specialized players like Ecobat and Second Life EV Batteries are actively working to evaluate, repair and commercialize these batteries. With the growing charging infrastructure, the demand for stationary batteries in real estate is also increasing — and used car batteries are an ideal solution.
After 15—20 years in stationary use, the valuable materials of the batteries must be recycled.
Pyrometallurgy: The batteries melt at high temperatures. The method recycles nickel, cobalt and copper, but often loses lithium and is energy intensive.
Hydrometallurgy: The superior method in which batteries are chemically treated after thermal pretreatment. This gives very high purity (over 99.9% for nickel, cobalt and manganese) and recycling rates above 95%. Hydrometallurgy also recycles lithium efficiently, making it both economically and environmentally superior.
A circular economy requires resources to be kept in a closed cycle. ChargeNode contributes by delivering large-scale, reliable charging infrastructure which allows for a smooth energy transition. The expanded infrastructure also creates a stable base for integrating Second Life batteries into property and city grids in response to the increased electricity consumption. This is not just waste management — it is the energy system of the future.
Charge Node Europe AB
Neongatan 4B
431 53 Molndal
