What Happens to EV and Hybrid Batteries When a Car Is Scrapped in Perth?
More Perthns are driving electric and hybrid cars, which brings up a fair question: what happens to the battery when the car reaches the end of its life?
EV battery recycling in Perth is still an emerging industry, but one thing is certain. You can't treat these batteries as a normal car battery, and they should never go into general rubbish. This is what usually happens when an electric or hybrid car is scrapped.
Why EV and Hybrid Car Batteries Need Special Handling
Most gasoline and diesel cars have a small 12-volt lead-acid battery to turn the engine over. EVs and hybrids have this too, but they have a much bigger high voltage battery to power the electric motor.
In a full EV this pack is large, heavy and almost always lithium ion. Small packs are used in hybrids, which can be lithium-ion or nickel-metal hydride, depending on the make and model.
Lithium ion batteries are packed with energy. If damaged, punctured or short-circuited they can overheat and catch fire and those fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish. Batteries can also contaminate soil and waterways when they are disposed of. That’s why electric car battery disposal is a job for trained professionals, not a backyard project.
What Happens to EV Batteries During the Scrapping Process?
In Perth, when an electric car is being scrapped, the high-voltage battery is usually removed before the rest of the car is dismantled. Typical EV battery disposal process is –
- Make it secure. Insulated tools and protective gear are used by trained technicians to isolate the high-voltage system.
- Take out the pack. Where required, the battery is removed with suitable equipment.
- Check it out and try it. The battery is tested for physical damage, leakage, overheating and charge capacity.
- Then, decide what to do next. Depending on its condition, it may be directed for reuse, repurposing or recycling.
Batteries from cars damaged in an accident or by flood may be less stable and may require more stringent storage and transport arrangements.
Can Old EV and Hybrid Batteries Be Reused or Recycled?
yes, often. not always. A battery that is no longer good for driving can still have a useful amount of charge left in it. After specialist assessment some are given a second life in applications like stationary energy storage.
Non-reusable batteries may go to specialist facilities for EV or hybrid car battery recycling. These processes can recover valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper and aluminium for use in new products.
What can be done depends on the chemistry of the battery, its condition and what facilities are available. Not all batteries are suitable for reuse or full recycling, and some may have to be shipped interstate or overseas for processing.
How Responsible Car Removal Helps the Environment
Environmentally friendly car recycling is much more than just the battery. Steel, aluminium, reusable parts and fluids can be recovered or disposed of in an environmentally sound manner, keeping more of the vehicle out of landfills.
When you are looking at car removal services in Perth, look for qualified vehicle dismantlers who work with appropriate battery handling services. And when you make your reservation, let the company know ahead of time that your car is electric or hybrid. Also mention any accident damage, flood exposure or dashboard warning lights. It helps the team plan a safe collection.
Arrange Responsible Car Removal With WA Car Removals
WA Car Removals offers free car removal services across metropolitan Perth and buys vehicles of all makes and conditions, including electric vehicles. If your car’s old, damaged, written off or just unwanted, our team can arrange pickup and pay you on the spot.
Ready to sell an EV or hybrid? Phone us on 0422 622 617 or get a quote online. All you need to do is tell us what sort of vehicle you have and what condition it is in and we can talk you through the arrangements for removal.