From 2018 onward, the first batch of domestically produced electric vehicle power batteries began reaching the end of their service life, triggering what is now being called the "end-of-life wave." As one of the primary methods for repurposing used batteries, battery second-life applications have become a competitive area for various battery manufacturers.
The industry anticipated that the volume of discarded power batteries would reach 14.03 GWh in 2018, with lithium battery recycling valued at approximately 0.3 yuan per Wh. This made the power lithium battery recycling market worth nearly 5 billion yuan. By 2020, the market size was expected to surpass 10 billion yuan, with the amount of scrapped batteries increasing by about 20 times compared to 2016 levels.
On average, the service life of a power battery ranges from 5 to 8 years, and its performance gradually degrades with each charge cycle. Once the battery capacity drops below 80% of its original rating, it is no longer suitable for use in electric vehicles. However, after undergoing testing, maintenance, and reconfiguration, these decommissioned batteries can still be repurposed for applications such as energy storage, distributed photovoltaic systems, home electricity, and low-speed electric vehicles. When they are no longer usable, they must be recycled and disassembled for resource recovery.
Faced with this emerging market, Li Junfeng, president of Guangdong Lunshi New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.’s New Energy Applications Division, believes that leasing has become a key model for promoting battery second-life usage.
Li explained that there are two main ways to utilize power batteries in second-life applications. If the cost of electricity for enterprises can be reduced, these batteries can be primarily used for energy storage. Alternatively, if using power batteries can lower the cost of lead-acid batteries, they can also be applied to low-speed electric vehicles and two- or three-wheeled electric vehicles.
Currently, Tianjin Lions New Energy Recycling Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Mausoleum Technologies, has established itself in the field of decommissioned power battery recycling.
Li pointed out that due to the uncertainty in the lifespan of batteries used in second-life applications, it's not practical for consumers to purchase them outright. Instead, leasing can help reduce the anxiety of both businesses and users, creating a win-win situation.
In February, the Interim Measures for the Management of the Recycling and Utilization of Power Batteries for New Energy Vehicles, issued by seven ministries including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, emphasized the need for multi-level and multi-purpose utilization of used batteries to improve energy efficiency. The regulations also required automakers to establish recycling channels and encouraged collaboration between car manufacturers, battery producers, and recycling companies.
Li believes that in the future, automakers, battery factories, and professional lithium battery recycling companies will be the main suppliers of battery packs. Automakers are expected to play a leading role, especially once sales channels are blocked, prompting companies to explore leasing models for battery reuse.
After nearly two years of trial and adjustment, Tianjin Mengshi introduced a new business model, using a third-party platform to connect different stakeholders. The platform collects consumer demand information and forwards it to depots, battery factories, and recycling companies, which then provide products based on the needs.
During the leasing process, the platform handles maintenance and repairs, while the supplier only provides parts. The supplier manages deposits, and the platform distributes profits through rent sharing to protect the interests of all parties involved.
Li noted that there are already specialized platform companies in China, and in the future, the industry will require more third-party leasing platforms, including those not affiliated with vehicle manufacturers or battery producers.
Considering the economic benefits of battery second-life use, industry insiders suggest that automakers should design power batteries with second-life applications in mind. Li said that through proper planning, the utilization rate of power batteries could exceed 90%. A single module in a battery pack can be adapted for electric bicycles or tricycles by adding a protection board, and can also be used in low-speed electric vehicles or energy storage systems.
Professor Li Jian from Central South University highlighted that over 90% of low-speed electric vehicles currently use lead-acid batteries due to their cost advantage. If properly managed, the cost of using power batteries for second-life applications could match that of lead-acid batteries. Compared to lead-acid batteries, power batteries offer clear advantages in weight, range, and charge-discharge cycles.
With nearly 2 million low-speed electric vehicles nationwide and annual sales two to three times that of high-speed electric vehicles, the potential for second-life applications is significant.
Other companies, including Ningde Era, AVIC Lithium Battery, and BAK Battery, are also exploring the use of power batteries for second-life applications.
BAK Battery plans to implement full lifecycle management, physically disassembling retired power batteries that meet certain conditions for second-life use. Those that do not meet the criteria are sent to material manufacturers for metal recovery, including cobalt, nickel, manganese, lithium, iron, and aluminum. In May 2017, about 200 retired BAK batteries were repurposed for shipyard energy storage projects.
China Tower is experimenting with using decommissioned batteries for energy storage at communication base stations. Gao Jian, Senior Director of the China Tower Energy Innovation Center, mentioned that the demand for energy storage batteries at base stations is huge, and the use of recycled lithium batteries is expanding.
China Tower currently operates 1.8 million base stations across the country, requiring about 146 GWh of energy storage batteries. Each year, around 25 GWh of batteries are needed for stock station replacements and new storage stations. In early January, China Tower signed a strategic partnership with 16 car and battery companies to promote the recycling and utilization of new energy vehicle power batteries.
Despite the potential, some industry players question whether second-life power batteries are suitable for large-scale use in communication base stations due to security and safety concerns. Li suggested that it is more appropriate to use these batteries for backup power in outdoor activities, factory peak-shaving systems, or small vehicles.
Although the market potential for power battery second-life applications is vast, several obstacles remain. High failure rates and a shortage of skilled technicians for battery maintenance and recycling are major challenges.
Li Xiaopeng, vice president of the School of Automotive and Transportation at Tianjin Vocational Technology University, estimates that there is currently a gap of nearly 100,000 battery maintenance technicians. According to data from the China Automobile Association, as of the end of 2017, China had over 1.7 million new energy vehicles. Battery maintenance is required every six months or 5,000 kilometers for passenger and commercial vehicles, and every six months for buses and special vehicles.
Tianjin Vocational and Technical Demonstration University is collaborating with Tianjin Lions to train technicians. The program enrolls 300 students per session for three months, covering motor and battery dismantling, electric bicycle, and low-speed vehicle assembly. The training focuses on hands-on skills to prepare students for real-world jobs, with instructors coming from automotive and battery companies.
The first phase of training was completed in November last year, with 30 graduates trained mainly as graduate students. Their focus was on developing battery monitoring molds or systems, with training in battery maintenance and testing engineers or technical school lecturers.
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