Recycling can be a part of the solution, as metals are highly reusable, but it is insufficient. A new electric vehicle (EV) won’t be scrapped for 10 to 15 years. Its battery pack, while no longer able to power a vehicle, can last 15 to 20 years and may find a second life by storing wind or solar energy before being recycled. The International Energy Agency forecasts that the secondary supply of batteries and the reuse of nickel will represent just 3% of total demand in 2030 and 10% in 2040. To help close the demand gap, mining for new metals will still be essential.
