China’s EV Market Is Booming. There’s Just One Problem
Because retired batteries retain economic value, they seldom go directly to landfills. In principle, batteries that remain in good condition can be repurposed for less demanding uses, while others can be recycled into raw materials for new batteries.
Repurposing, however, requires recyclers to test and grade batteries, modules, and sometimes individual cells. It is a technically complex and expensive process. A Tesla Model Y battery pack, for example, can contain more than 4,000 individual cells.
Unlicensed operators can skip much of that testing and dismantle packs at far lower cost. Some then sell used cells for unapproved applications, including aftermarket range-extending battery packs. Because the cells may not have been properly tested, those modifications can create substantial fire and safety risks.
In November, a Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan caught fire in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province. The owner later told the Sanxiang Metropolis Daily that the battery involved was an aftermarket range...
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