Biden launches $192 million initiative to combat environmental impacts of renewable batteries

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced Monday it will invest $192 million dollars aimed at making lithium-ion batteries more recyclable as the Biden administration pushes to make gas cars a thing of the past. 

Adding to the $3 billion in EV investments allocated in the bipartisan infrastructure lsw, the new round of funds will specifically be used for “launching an advanced battery research and development (R&D) consortium, and the continuation of the Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize.”

The Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize was launched in 2019 to incentivize and develop the battery’s recycling.

DOE said the research consortium will look to “further develop” America’s battery supply chain, as well as its “recycling capabilities” through grants of up to $60 million to manufacturers.

The initiative comes amid increasing concerns over the unintended consequences electric vehicles may have on the environment. According to the Foundation for Economic Education, only about 5% of lithium-ion batteries are recyclable, compared to the 90% of batteries in conventional cars.

Biden and his administration appear determined to effectively mandate electric vehicles throughout the country over the next several years, leading some to question the actual effectiveness of EV’s in aiding the environment. 

Most electric vehicles today still derive their power from fossil fuels when they’re plugged in to charge, and obtaining the lithium mineral for the cars requires emitting Co2 at 1:15 ratio.

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