Kia partners with Infinitev to reuse, repurpose and recycle EV batteries
Innovative new partnership hopes to improve the full lifecycle environmental impact of electric vehiclesThe lifecycle impact of EVs on the environment has been and will likely remain a hot topic of debate for years, but Kia Australia is doing its bit to lower the carbon footprint of its popular electric vehicles by forging a new battery recycling partnership with Infinitev.
The collaboration will see Infinitev take possession of defunct traction batteries from Kia EVs at the end of their primary/functional life and examine the health of their modules, categorising them into one of three classifications: A, B or C.
A-rated modules are extracted and reused in new batteries while B-rated units repurposed and integrated into battery storage solutions, leaving the C-rated modules to have their valuable materials extracted and recycled.
“Our innovative reuse approach ensures that the transition to a circular economy is not only sustainable but also reduces waste and preserves valuable resources,” Infinitev general manager Dickson Leow said.
“Through responsible battery management, we can accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and build a greener Australia.”
Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith said what happens to an EV battery at the end of its life is an important consideration for consumers when purchasing a new electric car, especially as more and more models hit the local market at increasingly affordable prices.
Coming soon to the Korean brand’s local showrooms is an armada of new electric models including the imminently arriving EV9, the Sportage-sized Kia EV5 and the Seltos-sized EV3 SUVs, as well as the EV4 mid-size sedan.
Only two of these models have been officially confirmed for the Australian market so far, but all four are expected on sale here by 2026 as electrification continues to grow in popularity Down Under.
Nissan Australia announced a similar project last year, in which defunct LEAF batteries would be repurposed and used to help power its local casting plant, yielding a 259-tonne reduction in CO2 emissions and a 128mW energy saving.
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