The auto recycling organisation Febelauto claims to have achieved a recycling rate of 97.3% for end-of-life vehicles since its creation, according to a press release published on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Brussels Motor Show (14-22 January).
Febelauto is also pleased with the good results obtained in treating electric car batteries.
According to the organisation, some 2.5 million vehicles have been collected and almost entirely recycled since 2001. They had an average age of 17.6 years, which “corresponds to the life of seven smartphones,” Febelauto pointed out.
Interest in hybrid and electric vehicles is growing, leading to an increasing amount of battery recycling, according to Febelauto, which added that, here too, says it is doing a good job in an area “where things are moving very fast.”
The organisation collected “only” 37 tonnes of batteries in 2021, then increased the quantity to over 120 tonnes last year.
“Firstly, we give them a second life as energy storage systems. Batteries that are no longer good enough are all fully recycled so that all materials are recovered to make new batteries,” Febelauto explained.
The body considers the new European legislation on electric batteries and end-of-life vehicles, which allows the whole life cycle of a product to be covered, to be a “beneficial approach for both the environment and the economy.” Thanks to this, “tomorrow’s cars and batteries will be made with much more recycled materials,” it noted.
