EV makers in battery recycle moves

The prime mover carmakers in the electric vehicle thrust are working out ways to cut the costs of the batteries that will power them, writes Brian Byrne, and one way is by recycling for use in the general power grid.

Both Nissan and GM have announced partnerships with this in view. Underpinning the idea is the fact that even after their projected 10 years of life, lithium-ion automotive batteries will still be capable of storing between 50-80 percent of their original electrical capacity.

The used batteries can be hooked up in bulk to renewable energy systems such as wind-power farms, storing surplus generated electricity for use at peak times.

It's a long-term project, as such used batteries won't become available in serious numbers for several years. But that suits the developing alternative energy source industry which will grow gradually as fossil fuels become scarcer and more expensive.

Nissan, whose all-electric Leaf will have its first deliveries here next year, has partnered with industrial conglomerate Sumitomo; GM, ready to launch its Volt extended range EV in 2011, has hooked up with ABB, a major supplier of equipment to the electric grid.