Roof Synergy

Where will the Dead Electric Vehicles (EV) Go?

The Electric Vehicle batteries, such as those in the EV1s made by GM, weighed over 1,000lbs, and had a life expectancy of just 4 years. Newer batteries have made great strides and have the same capacity (35 kWh) and last as much as 10 years. For example, the Chevy Volt battery weighs only 400 lbs (600 less than the first EV1 batteries), and has the same capacity as the first EV1 batteries.

The Fisker Karma was unveiled at the 2008 Detroit Auto show. The first and only product so far, for Fisker Automotive was designed by a team with credentials that include work on vehicles such as Aston Martin and BMW. The car has a factor of timeless beauty--so maybe it will be worthwhile to replace that 600lb battery when it dies. But what about other EVs, what will we do with them when the batteries die?


Most of us expect battery technology to make great strides and increase the battery life expectancy, capacity, and reduce weight. However, this first generation of Electric Vehicles will all die in 10 years or less. So what happens then? Do all these cars go to landfills, or will we replace all the 400lb and 600lb batteries these cars are using? And here's another question... right now a lithium-ion battery pack for the typical EV costs upwards of $25,000. Of course this doesn't consider the likely labor costs and disposal fees for getting rid of the old battery. For most EVs almost like buying half your car again unless you've purchased a luxury EV like the Fisker Karma, or Tesla Roaster. All the local auto-shops most likely will still have plenty of work replacing all these dead batteries. Otherwise, all these vehicles are headed to auto-salvage yards and landfills.

Below: a photo of batteries from a Renault Clio Electrique. The Clio was a first generation EV, which like the EV1, used a lead acid battery which weighed a whopping 1,000 pounds. These types of batteries are almost three times heavier than modern Lithium-ion EV batteries.


Another question is, will we really want to replace the old batteries on this first generation of electric vehicles? I expect 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation vehicles to have much longer range, lighter batteries, better performance, and even better mileage. Although some vehicles like the Fischer Karma may always maintain a type of vintage beauty (lets say 10 years from now when the battery goes out). But what about vehicles like the clunky Honda Insight? I can't fathom buying a $25,000 replacement battery for such a vehicle in 10 years. Most likely, I would just want to replace my Honda Insight with the latest model.

Below: A lithium-Ion battery pack is displayed (credit nasa). This type of battery has replaced the old lead-acid type batteries due to longer expected life, and more energy output with less weight. Even the latest lithium-ion batteries are not warrantied to last over 10 years. What happens when all these EV batteries go bad?


Another factor to consider is re-sale value. What will an electric car be worth after 9 years on a 10 year battery life warranty? Battery replacement costs, disposal fees, and other maintenance will really effect the resale value, or upkeep costs on the new breed of electric vehicles hitting the market. Of course, if there was no way to replace a 600lb battery that was expected to die in just a year, the value of the vehicle would correspond to this. At least our combustion engine vehicles have the potential to last 30 to 40 years with regular maintenance.

The new Chevrolet Volt, powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, claims an amazing 230mpg in the city. Beyond 40 miles, a gas generator turns on. Although emissions with such vehicles are greatly reduced there is still some pollution. If not from the vehicle directly, then indirectly from your local power plant. No one would argue however, that the consumer who buys such a vehicle is environmentally responsible!


There are savings for sure on electric cars--never needing oil changes, or transmission work greatly simplifies the cost and maintenance equations. And hybrids or other plug in vehicles will reduce, or completely remove the need to stop for gas (although we will still be stopping for electricity). Electric Cars are also much more efficient than our gas vehicles. Burning a gallon of gas creates of 45 kWh of energy, but unfortunately a combustion engine can only make use of about 30% of that. Electric cars operate at 80%+ efficiency. This is how they can survive with the small capacity of a 35 kWh battery such as in the case of the Chevy Volt. The entire 400 pound battery really only holds less energy than a gallon of gas. However, the Volt of course uses this energy with an 80% efficiency, and at least, as far as the car is concerned, there's zero emissions (unless you drive over 40 miles with the volt, at which point a combustion gas generator turns on to keep the battery charged).

Although Electric Cars are environmentally friendly, and although you may not have any emissions (and no exhaust pipe), there are still pollution factors with electric vehicles. First, the vehicle battery wont last forever--this will one day go to a landfill (even if you could 'revamp' or 'rebuild' an EV lithium-ion battery, the technology will eventually be so outdated, it will not make sense). Another factor is the electricity. Unless you've got solar panels on your roof, or you live near a hydro-electric dam, or a biomass burning plant, chances are your local power plant burns coal or natural gas to generate electricity.

Although the Honda Insight looks nice enough for a typical compact car, the handling is reputedly poor, and the overall drive is a bit clunky. Unless the price of batteries improves, or unless the technology advances, who will want to pay $25,000 for a battery to revive vehicle? The battery replacement costs will become more & more important in relation to the resale value of EVs in the future as EV lithium-ion battery packs eventually start to wear out & die.


Of course due to the high efficiency of electric cars (80% efficiency vs combustion engine 30% efficiency), you will most definitely cut down on fossil fuel consumption and pollution byproducts in general. Driving an electric car also reduces our fossil fuel dependency, and does help the environment by reducing the by-product waste that creates too much CO2 in our atmosphere and contributes to the greenhouse effect. Of course there are other harmful byproducts with gasoline burn off, but this is beyond the scope of this article.

Overall, I'm excited for the new generation of electric cars arriving. I think at least some of the population like me has some concerns about how these cars will effect our economy. Even less of us are probably worried about profits of big oil companies, like Exxon (maybe we are still bitter after the nasty oil-spill in Alaska due to their cost cutting measures). I really look forward to cutting down our fossil fuel dependency; especially at a time when rising industrial economic stars like China are putting worldwide demand in a pinch. I do think there are some valid concerns though about resale value, battery replacement, and upkeep--some questions that might only be answered several years from now when we replace our EV batteries, or we send these vehicles to the auto-salvage morgue.

Tags: Electric Car, Electric Vehicle, Electric Vehicles, Lithium-Ion Batteries, Zero Emissions, Environmentally Friendly, Future of Cars, EV, Hybrid, Chevy Volt Electric Vehicle, Toyota Prius, Dodge Circuit EV, Nissan Leaf EV, BMW Mini E, E-mini, GM Buick Plug-In SUV, EPA MPG