Video: Lead acid battery recycling - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

MetroMPG · 11-30-2008, 08:21 PM

The subject of what happens to old lead acid batteries applies of course to everyone with a car, not just EV owners.

But since EV owners go through so many more PBA batteries than the average person (well, in most conversions anyway - not counting other chemistries), what happens to those batteries is a topic that interests me.

I don't know if people outside of Canada will be able to view this, but I found a video from the program "How It's Made" that shows the car battery recycling process at Exide.

It gives the impression that the battery is nearly 100% recycled: plastic is reformulated into new battery cases; the acid is chemically neutralized; the lead is recycled into new plates for more batteries.

This may only work for Canadian IP addresses. Let me know!

http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/how...e-4/#clip31212

captainslug · 11-30-2008, 11:28 PM

Not viewable outside of Canada, but I have seen that episode (and others like it).

And yes SLA batteries are 95% recyclable. VERY few of them actually end up in landfills, unless of course the state/province you live in doesn't sort all of the trash for recycling by default.
I know for sure that Virginia in particular sorts everything for recycling, whether you pay for the recycling bin or not. Both trucks end up going to the same landfill and empty into the same sorting system.

Christopher Jordan · 12-01-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

But since EV owners go through so many more PBA batteries than the average person (well, in most conversions anyway - not counting other chemistries), what happens to those batteries is a topic that interests me.

This may only work for Canadian IP addresses. Let me know!

"Not available in California" We miss all the fun

I am learning how fast my City-el goes through batteries. My trikes were pedal-assisted- so they lasted longer.

I considered longer-lasting lithium, but seeing the photo below with all the insulation scared me off! The other photo is a standard City-el arrangement. I have Sears DieHard Platinum now and had to buy a special 'Platinum' charger. I sure wish I could liven up those DieHards rather than going through that recycling.

MetroMPG · 12-01-2008, 01:16 PM

Bummer on the video.

Of course battery longevity has a lot to do with depth of discharge and charging regimen, but you know that already.

TestDrive · 12-01-2008, 02:28 PM

For those in the USA (perhaps other locations as well?) -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHcP1...eature=related

It's about 1/4 of the way in - just after the part about making an airplane wing.

trebuchet03 · 12-01-2008, 02:49 PM

hmmmm... another narrator for How It's Made Canada.... with all the same corny jokes

MetroMPG · 12-01-2008, 04:48 PM

Hey, good find, TestDrive! I had a look at the US Discovery Channel, but struck out.

Treb- yes the jokes are brutal.

Whenever I watch this show, I can't help but think they're making a great video time capsule for future generations to show them North America's former manufacturing sector!