Proposals for implementing an ‘identity card’ for electric vehicle (EV) batteries in Australia have taken the lead in discussions during an ongoing federal investigation, amidst concerns that our battery recycling industry is ill-prepared for the future influx.
The Australian Associated Press (AAP) – as reported by The Canberra Times – indicates that this week’s Transition to Electric Vehicles inquiry has raised the need for Australia to embrace battery documents, similar to the ones that will become mandatory in Europe starting February 2027.
Battery documents are tied to a vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and provide details such as the origin of its materials and the entities involved in the assembly of the power pack along the supply chain, among others.
According to the AAP report, the inquiry was informed that the introduction of EV battery documents would enable the packs to be clearly marked for efficient and safe handling at the end of their lifecycle.
Representatives from the automotive and recycling sectors were among those expressing concerns, hinting that the federal government may have a maximum of six years before addressing the issue of EV batteries becomes a major challenge.
This is attributed to the increasing EV sales in recent times, resulting in battery-driven vehicles accounting for about eight percent of new automobile sales.
The inquiry is said to be exploring various aspects related to the transition to EVs, including the impact of such vehicles on the electrical grid, opportunities for fuel savings, the need for charging infrastructure, and battery fabrication and recycling.
Suzanne Toumbourou, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Council of Recycling, argues that recycling facilities are currently struggling due to limited drop-off points and a lack of regulations concerning battery recycling.
“Both the recycling and waste sectors are facing a crisis linked to inappropriately discarded batteries that are causing fires in various facilities,” Ms. Toumourou emphasized at the inquiry, as noted by the AAP.
“All batteries, including EV batteries, need to be subject to regulation.”
The executive has called for clear regulations in Australia regarding battery labeling, transportation, and disposal, including a prohibition on landfill disposal, although such measures would have to be implemented before local facilities could ethically decompose and manage EV batteries.
Laurissa Mirabelli, Head of Public Relations and Communications at Polestar Australia, mentioned that Australian facilities are presently capable of extracting valuable “black mass” from batteries, containing metals like lithium, cobalt, and graphite, yet they lack the means to process the material domestically.
“It’s all about transparency for consumers,” Ms. Mirabelli emphasized.
“There isn’t a standardized method to determine the environmental impact of a battery or the sourcing of materials within a battery [in Australia], which is why implementing the EU battery passport standard here would be highly beneficial.”
The AAP mentions that a facility in Victoria has commenced recycling EV batteries, although they are only processed into black mass for export.
Recommendations involve seizing the chance to recover valuable minerals from EV batteries, albeit standards and assistance need to be established promptly to support the surge in demand.
The inquiry is anticipated to hold public hearings in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra. Further details, including dates, can be found here.
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