LONDON : Global automakers have touted plans to re-use electric vehicle batteries when they lose power, but competition for battery packs and cell materials, and the appetite for affordable cars cast doubt on this part of the circular economy.But creating the viable industry envisioned by carmakers such as Nissan would mean fighting off competition from recyclers, refurbishers and the needs of drivers squeezed by the cost-of-living crisis.
The rising average age of fossil-fuel cars on the road - now a record 12.5 years in the U.S. according to S&P Global Mobility - suggests many EVs will stay on the road for years to come even if their batteries are depleted. Car and battery-makers increasingly offer energy storage systems using new batteries - from Tesla to the UK's AMTE Power and even Croatian electric sports car maker Rimac.
Britain alone pays around 1 billion pounds annually to switch off wind farms when the grid does not need the power - there is no way yet to store it because of the battery shortage. It also often has to buy electricity from Europe when it has a shortfall. That was no problem for Rivera, who used it to commute 18 miles to work, forgoing the heater in the winter because it drained the battery."That car handled 90 per cent of my driving needs," Rivera said."If treated right, it should last another five, six years."
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