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Tesla Gives Us A Magical Mystery Tour Of Lithium Battery Recycling |
9 Comments |
| By Michael d'Estries in Energy, Transportation | March 20, 2008 | ||
One of the largest misconceptions of electric cars is that the world will suddenly be inundated with toxic batteries that will seep into ground water, kill your dog, and practically ruin your marriage. Fortunately, battery recycling for green vehicles has been well planned out — even if there currently aren’t many electric-powered cars on the road to be concerned about. Showing us exactly what is possible, Kurt Kelty — an engineer that works for Tesla Motors — recently posted an interesting “Mythbusters” segment on battery recycling — what they’re made of and how they’re disposed of.
Some fascinating tid-bits: First, the Tesla Roadster’s battery pack or Energy Storage System (ESS) contains no heavy metals or toxic materials. By law, this means they could technically be disposed of in a landfill with no problems. However, their usefulness extends beyond pushing a car 0-60 in less than 4 seconds. Apparently, there are major differences in the demands on a battery for use in a high-performance sports car unlike, say, providing backup for a solar array. In fact, once the lithium packs are no longer performing well for the roadster, they may be recommissioned to be used as a power source for off-grid backup or load leveling.
Still, eventually the batteries will reach the end of adequate charge retention. At that point, the recycling plan comes into effect with three goals: 1.) maximize the amount of materials that can be reused, 2.) maximize the amount of materials that can be recycled; and, 3.) minimize energy consumption utilized during the transportation and recycling process. To spell this out, Kelty takes us on a photo tour of how everything is dealt with. You can jump to that here.
It’s some fascinating info — and finally sheds a little light on where these battery packs will end up. With additional vehicles like the Chevy Volt planning on taking advantage of Lithium-ion packs, it’s important to consider impact well after that last drive into the sunset. Check out more on the Tesla — which just went into full-scale production — at the official site.
Picture: The Tesla Roadster’s battery pack
NiraliSherni said,
It is reassuring that batteries of EVs such as the Telsa have no heavy metals or toxins. A lot of people who want to go the electric vehicle route are concerned about this very factor, the impact of discarded batteries on the environment. This is more encouragement to people interested in EVs to actually go ahead and buy them.
-http://www.zapworld.com
mememine69 said,
The global warming issue in this age of shameless green-goosestepping conformity is something everyone should be concerned about with it’s paralyzing effects of political correctness on culture, media and science with the associated environmental scares we have accepted as real for 30 years. Even though we are living longer now than at any time in human history, we have somehow managed to produce an entire generation that is afraid of an invisible demon in the sky that will see their grandchildren living a hell on earth in a “hundred years or so”.
The exaggerations and glib explanations from politicians, advocacy groups, bureaucracies and most of all media, are the actual “science” behind the major environmental so-called horrors and are the real causes of global warming. Global warming will be viewed in history as a cultural trend causing a transfer of wealth from an unwitting public by sequestering money via non-existent threats generated by environ-MENTAL-ism. This is social insanity disguised as concern and believe it or not, we have been waiting 25 years for these dire predictions from this self
fulfilling prophecy of one of the building blocks of life, CO2, causing a future climate crisis. Can you honestly look at a clear blue sky and see any present day crisis of climate? For if you separate this silly theory from the environmetnal equation ,what is left is an envronment that is cleaner, safer and better governed than back in the smoggy 70’s when started Rachel Carson’s crusade. She is truly rolling in her grave.
Global warming’s paralyzing effects on society with its pop culture invasion of science and needless environmental dramas are amounting to nothing more than modern day witch burning. Our climate is not in crisis and if we worked together to rid ourselves of war causing oil with perspective instead fear, we may get a chance to actually be a thinking species. Just as weather itself is feared now and called climate change, let’s remember that back in 1900 they wondered what to do with all of the horses needed by the year 2000. History will laugh, and cry.
Gideon said,
Recyclable/reusable batteries are “goosestepping conformity”? You have issues mememine. Stop trolling
Uncle B said,
If the batteries are recyclable, then their value at this point must be subtracted from the cost of operating the vehicle – a good thing!
As for the asshole who thinks the environment has suddenly become safe, People are still dying from unknown causes and always will. We must remain vigilant as did Rachel Carson, and be heard when necessary.
Uncle B said,
If the batteries are recyclable, then their value at this point must be subtracted from the cost of operating the vehicle – a good thing!
As for the a**hole who thinks the environment has suddenly become safe, People are still dying from unknown causes and always will. We must remain ever vigilant as did Rachel Carson, and be heard when necessary. Banishing the ubiquitous benzine molecule, in an effort to rid ourselves of many cancers is just a starting point. The Tesla’s batteries are helping us to go in the right direction.
Cooky Monster said,
So how is having to plug a vehicle into an electrical grid any better than a fossil fueled vehicle? Most of our electricity is generated using fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil. Some of it is also generated by nuclear power plants which have negative impacts on our world. When more of these cars go on the road there will be a negative impact just like having many fossil fueled vehicles on the road. Then additional energy will be required to recycle the batteries once they are spent.
The vehicle is also made of light weight products such as plastic. Plastics are products manufactured using pretroleum.
Right now electricity is cheap compared to liquid gas, but it too will cost more once the speculators catch on. We are not solving the problem. We are just pushing the inevitability of dealing with the core issues into the future again. Things must be looked at from cradle to grave. Short term benefits may not be as positive as they seem.
Eric said,
>>how is having to plug a vehicle into an electrical grid any better than a fossil fueled vehicle?
Large electrical plants are more efficient at converting fossil fuels to enery than an internal combustion engine is. Even with transmission losses and losses in the electric vehicle there is still a net reduction in fossil fuel used per mile.
Electricity can also be generated by more “green” methods. I figure a pair of EREVs and a windmill is a great way to go!
Peak Lithium and the ‘resource intensity of mobility’ « Keeping Ahead of the Oil Curve said,
[...] http://www.groovygreen.com/groove/?p=2827 [...]
MikeW said,
Let’s not forget how much rainforest must be raped to get the lithium in the first place. And you cannot recycle it either. Just reuse as construction material, etc. Every new battery represents another hole in ‘our’ world!