Car battery recycling: how does it really work?

Battery recycling for electric vehicles is already a major issue. With 882,000 electric vehicles in France, what happens to those lithium batteries after use? Discover how recycling turns your car battery into a new resource.

What is an electric car battery and how is it recycled?

Electric car batteries contain valuable metals: lithium, cobalt, nickel. Recycling recovers 60 to 90% of these materials. An EV battery weighs between 300 and 500 kg and lasts 10 to 15 years. Recycling is becoming mandatory. Europe requires a minimum reuse rate of 65% by 2025, 70% by 2030. To recycle effectively: 95% of cobalt and nickel, 80% of lithium by 2031. Before recycling, batteries with 70% capacity are reused for energy storage. These EV batteries power buildings or store renewable electricity. This reuse extends their life by 5 to 10 years. Renault, Nissan, and BMW repurpose used batteries for stationary storage. This second life maximizes usage before final transformation.

Why is battery recycling essential for the environment?

Without proper treatment, batteries pollute. Materials contaminate soil and water. Waste treatment protects the environment and recovers rare raw materials to make new batteries. Reusing materials creates a circular economy. Recycled battery materials feed the production of new EV batteries. This sector reduces carbon footprint by 40%.

Recycling is becoming highly profitable. Cobalt is worth €30,000 per ton, nickel €20,000. The European recycling market will be worth €18 billion by 2030. For you, there’s no extra cost. The eco-contribution is included in the vehicle price. Recycling pays for itself through the value of recovered metals. With recycling, an electric car emits 2 to 3 times less CO₂ than a combustion vehicle. Recycling will reduce global demand for lithium by 25%, and for cobalt and nickel by 35% by 2040. France, with 90% decarbonized electricity and battery reuse, is becoming a clean mobility leader. Every recycled battery avoids the extraction of tons of raw materials. At Electra, we actively support this transition. Our 300 fast-charging stations use green electricity, helping maximize your EV’s positive impact.

How does battery recycling work in France?

Recycling follows several key steps. First, collection at dealerships and certified garages. Then secure transport to specialized plants. Next comes full discharge and careful disassembly of the battery. Shredding produces the valuable “black mass” containing all the metals. Finally, metal extraction is done via pyrometallurgy or hydrometallurgy. Automakers organize the collection of used batteries. It’s mandatory: they must recycle end-of-life batteries.

Key players in France:

• Recycling companies lead the market. Veolia is a lithium battery recycling leader. SNAM brings expertise in metals and batteries. Orano plans to recycle 500,000 tons by 2030.

• Automakers are also organizing. Stellantis partners with Veolia for recycling. Renault is developing its own facility in Flins. Volkswagen is building in Germany. Tesla reports a 92% recycling rate.

• A new plant opens in 2027 in Bruyère-sur-Oise. Capacity: 20,000 tons of batteries recycled annually.

To recycle your battery, it’s simple. Your garage or dealership handles the entire process. Never attempt to disassemble a battery yourself—it’s dangerous and illegal. Electra charging stations are installed in partnership with stakeholders committed to responsible recycling.

To extend your battery’s lifespan:

• Charge between 20 and 80%

• Avoid extreme temperatures in summer and winter

• Limit fast charging to when it’s really needed

Our Electra smart charging technology automatically optimizes these parameters to preserve your battery.

What innovations will transform battery recycling?

Europe is introducing new battery requirements. In 2025, declaring recycled content becomes mandatory. By 2031, batteries must contain at least 16% recycled cobalt and 6% recycled lithium. Every battery will have a digital passport to track composition and recycling. Europe aims to ensure recycled materials are integrated into new batteries.

New battery designs support this shift. Sodium-ion batteries are emerging without cobalt. Modules are becoming removable and standardized. Artificial intelligence optimizes raw material extraction. Recycling is becoming high-tech and increasingly efficient. Robots dismantle, algorithms optimize, the sector is modernizing.

Battery reuse is being organized across France. From collection to recycling of valuable materials (lithium, cobalt, nickel), the entire sector is becoming more efficient. With 65% recycling today and 95% targeted by 2030, the industry is accelerating. Your EV battery doesn’t end up as waste—it powers new batteries. Recycling is making electric mobility truly sustainable.

At Electra, we support your electric transition. Our 300 fast-charging stations cover France. Charge with peace of mind: your battery will be recycled at end of life! Our Electra+ subscription starts at €4.99/month for discounted rates. Use code BOOST to get your first month free. Simple and transparent—just like battery recycling.

Want to go electric, made in France? Check out our transparent pricing and explore our station map. Download the Electra app on the App Store or Google Play for smooth, stress-free mobility!

Written by Nicolas – Mobility Expert at Electra