Toronto, Ontario — An automotive sustainability advocate recently published a new guidance document for the safe handling and storage of electric vehicle batteries.
The Suppliers Partnership For the Environment’s (SP) new “Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Safe Handling and Storage” report tackles a number of challenges recyclers must face after a battery has been removed from an EV, including battery identification, thermal runaway, the role of authorities and general safety tips.
SP says this latest report is the result of collaboration among a subcommittee of the Responsible Battery Work Group. The group is made up of representatives from several major automakers, including General Motors, Honda, Stellantis and Toyota.
Co-chaired by Call2Recycle and Blue Whale Materials, committee members include automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) including, General Motors, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, Stellantis, and Toyota Motor North America, as well as companies engaged in the EV battery value chain such as, Cellblock FCS, Cirba Solutions, Circulor, Energy Security Agency, Labelmaster, Li-Cycle, and, ORBIS.
“We recognize that companies handling EV batteries after they are removed from vehicles might lack essential information and training to ensure safe handling. Similarly, individuals may unknowingly take risks in their sincere efforts to act responsibly. This guidance document serves to bridge this information gap in a rapidly evolving industry, where real-life case studies and best practices are limited,” stated Jeff Haltrecht, Executive at Call2Recycle.
The document is written with battery holders in mind, including vehicle dealerships, auto dismantlers and recyclers, independent garages, auto shredders, warehouse operators, transportation operators, tow truck operators and yard holders, first responders, aftermarket diagnostic sites, battery repurposers, and battery remanufactures.
