My presumption is that if and as batteries become increasingly manufactured, and perhaps reconditioned, from recycled batteries, the cost/benefit improves. Essentially, battery deterioration is the result of structural deterioration that is rectified by the input of some energy. This is, or should be made to be, significantly less demanding of energy -- and disposed byproducts -- than is original sourcing from raw materials. I.e. no materials are actually "lost" during the deterioration, and materials used in remanufacturing/reconditioning should be largely recyclable, as well. And reprocessing should take a lot less energy than sourcing and separating from raw materials.
The question then becomes whether the lifespan of a battery technology will be long enough for such benefits to emerge. Given that, already, the net CO2 benefit is at least positive (ignoring, for the sake of this argument, other "green" factors), this seems to be a risk worth taking.
Comments
My presumption is that if and as batteries become increasingly manufactured, and perhaps reconditioned, from recycled batteries, the cost/benefit improves. Essentially, battery deterioration is the result of structural deterioration that is rectified by the input of some energy. This is, or should be made to be, significantly less demanding of energy -- and disposed byproducts -- than is original sourcing from raw materials. I.e. no materials are actually "lost" during the deterioration, and materials used in remanufacturing/reconditioning should be largely recyclable, as well. And reprocessing should take a lot less energy than sourcing and separating from raw materials.
The question then becomes whether the lifespan of a battery technology will be long enough for such benefits to emerge. Given that, already, the net CO2 benefit is at least positive (ignoring, for the sake of this argument, other "green" factors), this seems to be a risk worth taking.