Australia's EV boom sparks calls for waste management sector to keep up

The rapid growth of electric vehicle (EV) sales in Australia has sparked calls for the country's waste management sector to prepare for the influx of waste from old EV fleets. As the number of EVs on the road increases, experts say the battery recycling industry must keep pace to handle the looming waste management challenge.

According to recent figures, 27,089 battery electric vehicles were sold nationally in August, representing 24.9 per cent of the entire new vehicle market. This surge in EV sales has raised concerns about the environmental impact of battery disposal.

Marlene Caudillo, who traded her petrol car for her first EV six months ago, said the environmental benefits heavily influenced her decision. "We try to be very conscious about what we're buying," she said. "If a car gives you a good experience driving it, plus it's environmentally friendly … it's really important."

However, Ms Caudillo said she did not initially realise electric vehicle batteries could be re-purposed and recycled when they reach end-of-life, and believes EV owners should be better informed. "Knowing myself that I'm buying something that can be re-used in the future … I'm feeling happy," she said. "I feel like that knowledge should be out there [for EV users]."

Complex recycling process

Modern EVs predominantly use lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries or nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries, while most petrol and diesel cars use lead-acid batteries. Due to the materially complex make-up of EV batteries, they are recycled much less frequently than lead-acid batteries.

Queensland's peak motoring body RACQ runs a free state-wide recycling program, but Dr Micheal Kane, executive manager of public policy, confirmed that EV batteries are not currently an accepted type by RACQ. "RACQ collects [for] recycling low voltage automotive, marine, and deep cycle batteries … through our network of RACQ Assistance and auto stores," he said.

Envirostream, a Melbourne-based recycler, specialises in recycling end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. Chief executive Simon Linge said lithium-ion batteries have to be handled particularly carefully because they are larger, and have a significantly higher energy density than lead-acid batteries. "Lead acid batteries typically [weigh] 15-20kgs a piece, an EV battery [ranges] from 300 to 700 kilos in weight," he said. "Both are dangerous and hazardous goods; both can have fires, but a lithium-ion battery fire holds a lot more energy and therefore is a much bigger fire … so it's why in our operation safety is paramount."

Sector 'not yet' keeping pace with growth

University of Queensland lecturer Dr Kai Li Lim, from the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, said Australia's EV battery management sector is "not yet" keeping pace with the growth of EV use. But he said he was not concerned about whether the sector would catch up. "I think quite confidently that they will expand in time for when EVs need to be recycled … the question is how do we prepare for it?" he said. "I think what needs to happen is the training of skills here in this country … so they will train people to be able to handle [electric vehicle] batteries and to recycle [electric vehicle] batteries."