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Electric Vehicles | Government Research Battery Secondary Application Orders Producer Responsibility System, but Recycling Rely on Export

2021-03-17T09:23:03.398Z


Hong Kong will stop newly registering fuel-fueled private cars by 2035 at the latest. Electric vehicles have become a general trend, and they will have to deal with the "decommissioning wave" of batteries with a lifespan of about 8 years. Currently, retired batteries in Hong Kong are mainly processed for export, and there are many battery reuse options


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Written by: Lao Minyi

2021-03-17 17:08

Last update date: 2021-03-17 17:10

Hong Kong will stop newly registering fuel-fueled private cars by 2035 at the latest. Electric vehicles have become a general trend, and they will have to deal with the "decommissioning wave" of batteries with a lifespan of about 8 years.

At present, retired batteries in Hong Kong are mainly processed for export, and the battery reuse program has "only heard the sound of stairs" for many years.

Some scholars believe that recycling is not cost-effective. In the long run, batteries should be used to extend their lifespan. They should be used in areas other than electric vehicles, such as conversion to building backup power.

The Environment Bureau announced today (17th) the roadmap for the popularization of electric vehicles, which indicated that it will study the secondary application of electric vehicle batteries and strive to implement producer responsibility plan legislation on retired electric vehicle batteries in the next few years. However, the authorities also believe that, The number of local retired batteries in the next few years is still not enough to support the establishment of battery recycling facilities, which means that the future will continue to rely on the export of old batteries for recycling.

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According to the roadmap for the popularization of electric vehicles, the Environment Bureau stated that the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has cooperated with the Hong Kong Productivity Council to conduct technical studies and feasibility tests on the secondary application of retired batteries for electric vehicles, and connect retired batteries of the same brand into one set for use. , Successfully applied to drive electric wheelchairs.

The bureau pointed out that the technology for recycling batteries for retired electric vehicles is complex and the requirements are quite high. A relatively large market demand is needed to support the establishment of battery recycling facilities locally.

It is currently estimated that the number of retired electric vehicle batteries in the country in the next few years is not enough to meet the required number.

The Environment Bureau believes that to ensure proper collection and preliminary disposal of batteries locally, the recycling process can be carried out outside Hong Kong.

In other words, the approach is no different from the current practice.

Mainland China, the European Union and other regions and countries have successively implemented or are experimenting with the producer responsibility plan policy for retired electric vehicle batteries.

Producers are generally responsible for the collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of waste products, and include the introduction of deposit refund and preferential programs to encourage collection and recycling. The program will also promote the development of secondary applications of used batteries.

The Environment Bureau stated that it will discuss the Hong Kong model with electric vehicle suppliers and relevant stakeholders, and strive to implement producer responsibility scheme legislation on retired electric vehicle batteries in the next few years.

Retired electric vehicle batteries soared last year, recycling industry index is still less than expected

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in the past five years, waste electric vehicle batteries shipped to Japan, South Korea or Belgium for recycling after initial local treatment have increased by more than five times from 6.2 metric tons in 2016 to 37.9 metric tons in 2020.

Waste electric vehicle batteries are chemical waste and must be properly disposed of in accordance with the Waste Disposal Ordinance. At present, there are six licensed chemical waste collectors in Hong Kong that handle this type of batteries, most of which are employed by electric vehicle manufacturers or agents.

Some collectors revealed to "Hong Kong 01" that after the export of used batteries, foreign manufacturers as final processors have to pay a separate battery disposal fee. Local recyclers earn very little profit, and on average, they only collect about about Twenty electric vehicle batteries are far fewer than expected, but it is said that "it is difficult to make a brand, and there is no reason to give up." Frankly, the prospect of the electric vehicle battery recycling industry is still on the sidelines.

Scholar: Extending battery life is more feasible

With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, and the average life of electric vehicle batteries is about 8 years, can a large number of retired batteries only be solved by export?

In fact, there are battery processing plants in Hong Kong, but they concentrate on processing starter batteries commonly found in vehicles, as well as spare batteries for telecommunications companies and data centers.

Wu Ruilin, the operating director of the Hong Kong Battery Recycling Center, said that there is currently no comprehensive technology to deal with lithium batteries for electric vehicles. It is still at the experimental level. It is difficult for the center to obtain a license if the technology is not recognized. Moreover, it is not economical to recycle metal from electric vehicle batteries. Effectiveness, if there is a lack of subsidies as an incentive, it is difficult to encourage recycling.

In addition to recycling, extending battery life is another way out.

When the battery is "retired" from the vehicle, there is actually 70 to 80% of the electricity storage capacity left.

Cheng Jiawei, a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Polytechnic University, known as the "father of Hong Kong-made electric vehicles," tested and reused two retired electric vehicle batteries as backup power sources two years ago. The project is almost complete.

He bluntly stated that the technology has proved feasible, and it can be used as a backup power supply for building public facilities, as a renewable energy storage, and even replace lead-acid batteries that are commonly found in server rooms and have a relatively small power storage capacity of only 5 points.

Residential buildings generally have backup generator sets, but diesel is mostly used.

Zheng Jiawei believes that diesel power generation is neither environmentally friendly nor wastes space. If retired electric vehicle batteries can be banned, the construction of chimneys can be avoided. The amount depends on battery quality, vehicle model and building size. It is estimated that it will help double the length of retired batteries. life.

Zheng Xuxu pointed out that if the battery is recycled, only surface metals such as iron shells and frames can be recovered. "It mainly extracts the easily scratched parts, and the recovery value is very low." He said that more data will be needed in the future, including different experiments. Batteries of brands, models, and lifespans must be used in buildings and require amendments to the regulations. I believe they will not be available in the short term, but I am confident that there is no worries about a way out for retired batteries in the future.

The Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Science and Technology has studied the use of retired batteries of electric vehicles as backup generators, eliminating the need to store diesel fuel in buildings and reducing battery waste.

(Photo of the "Electrical and Mechanical Innovation and Technology Online Platform" website)

Recycling facilities in many countries

The Office of The Ombudsman proactively investigated the planning and arrangement of supporting facilities for electric private cars by the Hong Kong government in 2019.

In the report, it criticized the government for only reliance on electric vehicle manufacturers to recycle batteries on their own, and failed to introduce any specific plans or long-term plans on how to dispose of retired batteries.

The Commissioner’s Office believes that the authorities should refer to the experience of foreign countries in promoting battery recycling, processing and reuse, and formulate a clear plan for the collection and disposal of electric vehicle batteries to avoid alternative environmental pollution.

With reference to overseas experience, Singapore and Norway have built their own lithium battery recycling facilities.

A few years ago, the mainland also encouraged the reuse of decommissioned batteries for energy storage, energy backup, etc. If the batteries are scrapped, they can be disassembled to extract valuable metals for recycling and reuse; the mainland authorities also require automobile manufacturers to bear the responsibility of battery recycling .

As for Shenzhen, which is close to Hong Kong, it has also provided subsidies for the disposal of waste batteries for manufacturers or agents of electric vehicles.

The electric vehicle batteries that were introduced into Hong Kong in the early years were gradually retired, and export processing became the only way out?

(Information Picture / Photo by Gao Zhongming)

Encouraging incentives to encourage local treatment

As early as 2016, the Environment Bureau organized the "International Competition for Reuse of Retired Electric Vehicles" to encourage the public to make practical suggestions for reusing retired batteries. The champion of the Open Group from Hongkong Electric proposed that batteries should be included in the proposed construction on Po Toi Island. The solution of solar power generation system provides auxiliary power supply for residents on the island and reduces dependence on existing diesel generators.

However, it is understood that the relevant plan has not yet been studied, nor have the authorities launched a specific plan for trial implementation.

Liu Zhifeng, director-general of Green Earth, believes that export processing of electric vehicle batteries involves carbon emissions, but Hong Kong has no policies or economic incentives to encourage local processing, and it is difficult for companies to actively respond.

He pointed out that if the government encourages the use of lithium batteries for decommissioned vehicles as a backup power source for buildings and takes the lead in testing in government buildings, it can take the lead. He also believes that legislation to introduce a producer responsibility system is the general trend, and manufacturers should bear it. Processing costs, and at the same time, sufficient facilities are required to properly dispose and recycle a sufficient number of old batteries in order to achieve a circular economy.

The Environment Bureau believes that to ensure proper collection and preliminary disposal of batteries locally, the recycling process can be carried out outside Hong Kong.

The picture shows the retired electric vehicle battery.

(Screenshot of "Roadmap for Popularization of Electric Vehicles")

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Source: hk1

All news articles on 2021-03-17

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