What Does Tesla Do With Old Batteries?
PUBLISHED
- February 19, 2023
- 2:25 am
PUBLISHED
- February 19, 2023
- 2:25 am
As the world embraces electric cars, the question of what happens to old batteries becomes increasingly important. After all, electric vehicles are powered by large batteries that will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. This begs the question: what does Tesla do with old batteries, and what is the environmental impact as a result?
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The Life of a Tesla Battery
Before we delve into the question of what happens to old Tesla batteries, it’s worth understanding a bit about the life of a Tesla battery. First off, Tesla batteries are built to last. In fact, the company’s batteries are designed to last for at least 500,000 miles of driving, which is far longer than the average lifespan of a gasoline engine. However, even the best batteries eventually wear out, and when that happens, they need to be replaced.
Recycling at Tesla
So, what does Tesla do with all those old batteries? The answer is that the company has a robust recycling program. When a Tesla battery reaches the end of its useful life, it can be recycled to recover valuable metals like nickel, cobalt, and aluminum. These metals can then be used to manufacture new batteries or other products. In fact, Tesla claims that its recycling process can recover more than 90% of the valuable metals in a battery.
Second Life Batteries
In addition to recycling, Tesla also has a program for repurposing old batteries. Known as “second life” batteries, these are used batteries that are still functional but no longer have the capacity to power a car. Instead of being scrapped, these batteries can be repurposed for other uses, such as energy storage for homes and businesses. This not only helps reduce waste but also helps promote the growth of renewable energy sources by making it easier for homeowners and businesses to store the energy generated by their solar panels.
Collaboration with Panasonic
It’s also worth noting that Tesla collaborates with Panasonic on battery recycling. Panasonic is one of Tesla’s main battery suppliers and has its own recycling program. Through this collaboration, Tesla and Panasonic are working together to improve the efficiency and sustainability of their respective recycling programs.
So, what happens to old Tesla batteries? The short answer is that they’re recycled or repurposed. Tesla has a robust recycling program that recovers more than 90% of the valuable metals in a battery, and the company also repurposes old batteries for use in energy storage systems. Overall, Tesla’s approach to battery recycling and repurposing is an important part of its commitment to sustainability and reducing waste.
