Urgency builds around EV battery retirement plans

Retirement is looming for the first significant wave of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and the industry is scrambling to develop an effective plan for recycling and second life applications. These batteries represent the single most expensive component in an EV and even when they have reached the end of their life as far as EV use is concerned, they can retain up to 80% of their initial capacity. Many of today's leading automakers are exploring ways to repurpose these batteries for new applications, which will postpone the need for recycling.