Should high‐cobalt EV batteries be repurposed? Using LCA to assess the impact of technological innovation on the waste hierarchy

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a key technology in decarbonizing the transportation and electricity sectors, yet use of critical materials, such as cobalt, nickel, lithium, lead to environmental social impacts. Reusing, repurposing, recycling mitigate battery impacts by extending their lifespan reducing reliance on virgin materials. Innovation that reduces demand for these problematic materials increases efficiency also Two examples this technological innovation include, (1) development energy dense cathode chemistry containing less material with high impacts; (2) columnar silicon thin film anode, which results increased density compared commonly used graphite anode. This research assesses whether innovations change currently understood waste hierarchy, prioritizes reuse or repurposing prior recycling. is interest because retired high-cobalt could supply constituent sooner if recycled immediately be low-cobalt, higher-performing batteries. The assessment considers life cycle two end-of-life management routes LIB: first, after first produce new, intensive battery, second, stationary storage application followed Findings show relative immediate Thus, from an perspective, hierarchy holds, steps retain highest value use, through should still prioritized.