Why end-of-life Li-ion batteries need to be discharged

To address this issue, the researchers created a wet discharge bath that makes small lithium batteries, such as those in mobile phones and other hand-held devices, safe prior to disposal. The technology is designed to not interfere with downstream material-recovery processes.

For larger units, such as those in hybrid and electric vehicles or household PV storage systems, they developed a discharge technology that collects the energy and feeds it into the grid to power the site where the battery is at.

In 2021, 6.6 million plug-in vehicles were sold globally, while EV penetration is expected to reach 23% by 2030, taking the lion’s share of the world’s battery demand.

Given this rapid increase in the use of Li-ion batteries and their subsequent disposal, the CSIRO researchers say they are willing to assist industry partners to transition into their proposed safe-managing practices.