Photo Credit:Fair Use [17 U.S.C. § 107] Bags of raw lithium carbonate. Photo credit: Bridget Bennett for NPR

Dead EV Batteries Are Hoarding a Shocking Amount of Useful Lithium

15 Aug 2025 | Abstracted from Gizmodo

Dead EV batteries retain nearly 80% of their lithium capacity but most end up in landfills. Australian researchers show recycling could recover 99% pure lithium plus nickel and cobalt while producing 61% less carbon than mining. Recycling uses 83% less energy and 79% less water than extraction. With 13% annual battery market growth, waste could hit 137,000 tons yearly in Australia alone. Untapped goldmine of materials sitting idle.

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