hinese evsChina continues to strive in introducing electric vehicles (EVs) to its roads and throughout the globe as it seeks to not only reduce pollution but also to promote high-tech industry and non reliance on traditional fuels.
However, according to an article in Reuters, www.reuters.com with China’s lithium battery production’s predicted output of 170,000 tonnes in 2018, the Chinese government have implemented ‘interim’ measures to improve its recycling proficiency.
To do so, the government is making it the responsibility of the carmakers to recover vehicle batteries and provisions of services where old batteries can be collected, stored and then carried to specialist recyclers.
The report also stated that the EV car manufactures must also set up a ‘maintenance service’ network which gives the public the opportunity to repair or exchange their old batteries if they wish to do so. The report also says that steps aimed at encouraging good practise among consumers, including subsidies or battery repurchase pacts, should also be adopted.
However, the measures were not only directed at the carmakers. The producers of the batteries themselves are being persuaded to implement battery design standardisation so products can be easily dismantled and help automate the recycling process. Plus provide technical training to the car manufacturers to store and dismantle old batteries. Furthermore, the carmakers should then set up, with the support from the battery manufacturers, a ‘traceability’ system to trace the owners of any discarded battery.
Such actions show responsible considerations for recycling of EVs in the future. It will be of interest how the UK government will try to legislate such provision as more Electric vehicles are introduced to our roads.
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