Repurpose initially, then recycle afterward
The University of Münster, along with other research institutions, has conducted a study examining the environmental impact of recycling versus reusing electric car batteries. The latest article from [PM] reports on this study, titled "First second life, then recycle: Study recommends the second life use of electric vehicle batteries to reduce CO2 emissions" (July 30, 2025).
The study provides a data-based foundation for political and economic decisions on how to handle old batteries. It offers a clear recommendation: Reuse before recycling.
The researchers compared three scenarios: today's practice, a scenario with complete recycling, and one with prioritized second life use. They found that while direct recycling would save around 48 million tons of CO2 by 2050, prioritized second life use would increase this to about 56 million tons.
Reuse as stationary storage helps integrate renewable energy into the power grid, manage peak loads, and enhance energy security, which contributes to a lower carbon footprint overall. The study used California as an example and found that long-term reuse of retired vehicle batteries as stationary storage offers greater CO2 savings than immediate recycling.
Because the expected supply of retired EV batteries by 2050 exceeds stationary demand, the study recommends developing recycling infrastructure early, but to initially prioritize second-life use for environmental gains. Despite the potential of second life use, the researchers emphasize the need to simultaneously build up efficient recycling structures.
The study highlights the importance of early, systemic planning along the entire battery value chain - from production to use to end of life - to fully exploit ecological and economic potential. By prioritizing reuse, we can extend the functional life of batteries, avoiding the emissions associated with producing new batteries and materials extraction.
In summary, second-life use of EV batteries for stationary storage contributes more to climate mitigation by reducing CO2 emissions and supporting renewable energy deployment more effectively than immediate recycling alone. Reuse maximizes the environmental value of batteries before recovery of materials is needed.
[1] University of Münster, "First second life, then recycle: Study recommends the second life use of electric vehicle batteries to reduce CO2 emissions," [PM], July 30, 2025. [2] University of Münster, "Environmental impact of recycling versus reusing electric car batteries," [PM], July 30, 2025. [3] University of Münster, "The role of second-life electric vehicle batteries in stationary energy storage," [PM], July 30, 2025. [4] University of Münster, "California's demand for stationary energy storage can be met fully by second-life EV batteries by 2050," [PM], July 30, 2025.
- The University of Münster's study, titled "First second life, then recycle," offers a data-based foundation for decisions about electric car battery handling, recommending reuse before recycling.
- In their analysis, the researchers found that prioritizing the second life use of electric vehicle batteries would result in higher CO2 emission reductions compared to direct recycling.
- Reuse of EV batteries as stationary storage contributes significantly to climate mitigation by integrating renewable energy into the power grid, managing peak loads, and enhancing energy security.
- The study also suggests the need for early development of recycling infrastructure, but initially prioritizing second-life use for environmental gains, pointing out that the supply of retired EV batteries by 2050 exceeds stationary demand.
