Zero-emission mandates are opening commercial markets for battery-powered electric vehicles. Although these vehicles do not produce tailpipe emissions, recent assessments have raised concerns that emissions generated by recycling lead-acid batteries used in electric vehicles may create a major environmental impact. We used an abridged life-cycle assessment, which produces easily comprehended information about each life stage of a product, to analyze environmental impacts associated with recycling and waste management of four battery technologies likely to be used in electric vehicles over the next 5-10 years. We ranked recycling and waste management impacts and emphasized environmental consequences associated with design factors. Our results suggest that nickel-metal hydride batteries are the most environmentally benign; however, an infrastructure for recycling these batteries does not exist. Although its toxicity is relatively low, the sodium-sulfur battery received the poorest ranking, because it is not recyclable. Lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries are highly recyclable, but the question of significant toxicity remains. References: 37
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