![Carson City Weather Carson City Weather](https://carsonnow.org/sites/www.carsonnow.org/files/weather.jpg)
Carson City Chamber luncheon to feature talk on EV battery recycling, public invited
Like it or not, there’s bound to be an electric car purchase in your future. There are currently 28 automakers producing electric cars powered by batteries that must be recycled in keeping with the promise of a greener planet.
California has mandated only electric cars can be purchased in the state beginning in 2035. Many other states, too, are setting deadlines for the purchase of electric vehicles. In December 2021, President Biden mandated all federal vehicle purchased must comply with the zero-emission mandate.
Like it or not, electricity is making a comeback not seen since the mid 1950’s when there was a push for all things electric.
Electric vehicles powered by batteries have been around since 1890 and by 1910 as electricity became more accessible, the EV became more popular as they were quiet, didn’t emit pollutants and were easy to drive. It took well over 100 years for the electric vehicle to make a comeback.
It was Tesla in 2008 that took the concept of the early electric cars to fit today’s zero-emission standards. A number of well-known auto makers have retooled to produce only EV cars and new start-ups such as Rivian are challenging Tesla for a share of the EV market.
Nevada has become the forefront of EV parts and battery cells produced at the Gigafactory owned and operated by Tesla in partnership with Panasonic. The Gigafactory is one of the world's highest volume plants for electric motors, energy storage products, vehicle powertrains and batteries — producing billions of cells per year. Since EV batteries have a shelf-life of 15-20 years, what becomes of the used batteries? Can they be recycled and reused?
Those questions will be answered by Don Tatro, Director of Sales & Local Policy of the Carson City based Redwood Materials, the battery recycler today testing how to give new life to dead batteries and recycle other components.
Tatro will address “building a circular supply chain to power a sustainable world” at the Carson City Chamber luncheon Wednesday, Nov. 8 beginning at 11:30 am at the Gold Dust West.
Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased online here or by calling 775-882-1565.
— Ronni Hannaman is the Executive Director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce.