So far the numbers of end-of-life batteries have been fairly low, but as we ramp up our production of electrified trucks the need for recycling and reuse streams will increase. To be prepared for this, Volvo Trucks is working together with waste contractors and other actors to maximise the recycling rate of electric batteries. We are also looking into second use options for old batteries to find ways of prolonging their useful life in other applications, such as energy storage in buildings.
Volvo Group has established Volvo Energy, a business area that will manage the batteries after the usage in the first truck. There will be opportunities to repurpose e.g. energy storage, as well as opportunities concerning remanufacturing, refurbishment and recycling. We closely follow the development of recycling technologies and participate in several projects where electric vehicle (EV) batteries are transferred to other applications, such as storage in solar energy systems, after they have reached their operational capacity limit.