Article Summary: British recycling firm Altilium and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will build and test EV batteries’ cells made using recycled materials from old Jaguar i-Pace electric vehicles in a pilot project to demonstrate recycled battery production is possible at scale. The project will run over the course of the next year. It will take cathode active materials from used i-Pace batteries and make new cells for testing in new JLR EVs. From 2031, new EV batteries which will be sold into the European Union must include 6% recycled lithium, 6% recycled nickel and 16% recycled cobalt. By 2036 these targets increase to 12%, 15% and 26%, respectively. The difference in percentage are 6%, 9% and 10% increase.
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Partly Funded by Tata Motors
Partly funded by Tata Motors, it opens new tab units JLR, Altilium and the UK state-backed Advanced Propulsion Centre. The project will run over the course of the next year. It will take cathode active materials from used i-Pace batteries and make new cells for testing in new JLR EVs.
3 Materials used in EV batteries production
The rise in EVs has brought a race to recycle the valuable minerals in their batteries along with it. Especially lithium, cobalt and nickel materials used to make EV batteries. These materials can be worth thousands of euros per car. It is countering China’s dominance in this field.
There is also government’s regulatory pressure on automakers and battery makers to recycle lithium, nickel and cobalt.
Percentage rise in recycled EV batteries materials in 2031
From 2031, new EV batteries which will be sold into the European Union must include 6% recycled lithium, 6% recycled nickel and 16% recycled cobalt. By 2036 these targets increase to 12%, 15% and 26%, respectively.
Prediction of 60% drop carbon emissions
Altilium says that its process will help automakers hit carbon dioxide reduction targets, because it lowers the need for newly mined materials resulting in a 60% drop in carbon emissions.
$12 million Series A
Earlier this year, SQM Lithium Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile’s, opened a new tab lithium business, providing most of a $12 million Series A funding round for Altilium.
World’s second-largest lithium producer invested $2.6 million
That followed a $2.6 million investment by SQM, the world’s second-largest lithium producer, in Altilium last year in 2023.
Altium Clean Technology’s view on EV batteries and CAM production
“By demonstrating at-scale manufacturing of battery cells using recycled Cathode active materials (CAM). The project will advance commercialization of Altilium’s EcoCathode™ recycling process, paving the way for supply deals with battery manufacturers and de-risking investment in further scale-up, including construction of the UK’s largest planned commercial plant for EV battery recycling and CAM production.” Altium Clean Technology’s website showed.
Anticipated cost of lithium-ion batteries
The cost of lithium-ion batteries was anticipated to continue declining, potentially falling below $100 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the first time. It happened due to Raw Material Sourcing and Recycling Initiatives. The governments are expected to persist and expand incentives for EV purchases. This step could include tax credits, rebates, and subsidies, further driving consumer interest and sales.
What Jaguar Land Rover claims?
Jaguar is making a bold leap into the future with a commitment to a fully electric lineup by 2025. The ambitious plan, part of the “Reimagine” strategy announced by JLR CEO Thierry Bolloré, aims to blend sustainability with luxury, redefining the future of automotive excellence already by creating 350 jobs in this site.
