China's Battery Breakthrough: How Old EV Batteries Get a New Life

China is making big moves to handle old electric vehicle (EV) batteries in a smart and eco-friendly way. The country has set up 22 national standards to guide how these used batteries should be managed, taken apart, and tested. These rules are helping companies recover up to 99. 6% of valuable materials like nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and 96. 5% of lithium. This is great for the environment and the economy. In places like Tianjin, old EV batteries are processed in special workshops. They are carefully dismantled, crushed, and purified to recover over 95% of lithium, which is then turned into new battery materials. This gives these batteries a second life and reduces waste. China is also working on creating global standards for battery recycling. A national technical committee, led by top experts, is developing guidelines for batteries used in vehicles, ships, and energy storage systems. This committee is helping China play a big role in shaping international rules for battery recycling. One important step China has taken is banning the use of old lithium batteries in electric bicycles. This is to prevent fire risks and ensure these batteries are properly recycled. The government is also introducing new safety standards for lithium batteries to make them safer and more sustainable. With the number of lithium batteries in use reaching 1, 300 GWh in 2024, China is expected to see a peak in battery retirements by 2026. By recycling and reusing these old batteries efficiently, China aims to be self-sufficient in lithium by 2040.