A new project RECOVAS wants to create a circular end-of-life supply chain for the electric vehicle industry.
The project, led by EMR, has won grant support from the UK Government’s Advanced Propulsion Centre.
RECOVAS is a partnership between WMG Based at University of Warwick, EMR, Bentley Motors, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, the Health and Safety Executive, the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre, Autocraft Solutions Group and Connected Energy.
The project will start in January 2021 and will run for three years, by which time the partners expect the circular supply chain to be operating commercially.
Remanufacturing is the process of repairing and re-engineering existing batteries so they could potentially be used in new cars.
Reuse involves giving batteries a second life in stationary storage to help balance the use of the electricity grid during peak use and optimise the use of renewable energy and other applications.
The new supply chain will help all partners to triage batteries when they arrive at approved end-of-life vehicle treatment facilities across the UK for either remanufacturing, reuse or – where this is not possible – recycling.
Professor David Greenwood, chief executive of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, WMG, University of Warwick, said: “Delivery of end-of-life provision for electric vehicle batteries is a strategic necessity for the UK, and this project will establish its first full scale facility.
“Without proper provision, end of life batteries could become a major safety and environmental concern.
“This project will implement state-of-the art recycling methods to meet and exceed the requirements of the current regulations.
“In addition, we will conduct research into new processes which could make the recovery of a much higher proportion of the battery material economically feasible.
“In doing so we will reduce the need for mining and refining of critical materials and we will reduce the carbon footprint of future electric vehicles.
“WMG is delighted to be at the core of this project, and we look forward to its delivery.”
The government is supporting RECOVAS as part of a £49m investment in technologies that will help the automotive industry to “go green”.