Biden backs battery recycling and reuse

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has announced funding of nearly US$ 74 million (EUR 71.4 million) for 10 projects to boost the domestic recycling and reuse of electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

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According to the DoE the cash ‘will help accelerate battery production in America, mitigate battery supply chain disruptions and create good-paying jobs.’ The move supports President Biden’s goal to have electric vehicles make up half of all vehicles sales in America by 2030. 

‘Recycling advanced batteries presents an enormous opportunity for America to support the creation of a secure and resilient domestic battery supply chain to reach our clean energy and transportation future,’ says US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

‘The historic investments of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are making it possible for cross-sector collaboration that will fuel America’s technological breakthroughs and eliminate our overreliance on other nations to meet our clean energy goals.’ 

DoE says America currently does not produce enough of the critical minerals and battery materials needed to power clean energy technologies. ‘If unaddressed, the lack of domestic mining, processing, and recycling capacity will hinder clean energy and transportation development and adoption, leaving the nation dependent on unreliable foreign supply chains.’

Projects include stationary energy storage systems and projects that focus on advanced materials separation, scale-up, and reintegration of lithium-ion battery materials. ‘Recycling and reuse will strengthen domestic battery manufacturing and allow the nation to meet the increasing demand for EVs through American made battery components,’ the DoE says.