Daimler Truck North America Provides 2nd Life to Commercial Vehicle Batteries

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PORTLAND, Oregon – Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) is dedicated to lowering the corporate’s general carbon footprint by integrating a complete round financial system method throughout its operations. This technique emphasizes repairing, remanufacturing, repurposing and recycling lithium-ion battery supplies utilized in all DTNA electrical automobiles (EVs).

With targets to maximise battery lifespans and scale back materials waste, the round financial system method strives to increase the usability of rare-earth supplies and merchandise, thereby tackling world sustainability challenges. Leveraging superior expertise, DTNA can discern when a lithium-ion battery not meets DTNA’s excessive requirements required for automobile use. This perception guides the choice on the optimum course of to maximise supplies for a second life, with restore taking priority at any time when attainable.

Whereas batteries obtain important consideration as a result of their use of rare-earth metals like cobalt and nickel, DTNA’s method extends to all elements of the EV product.

“As part of our commitment to maximizing material life cycles, we meticulously assess environmental and ethical implications from sourcing to post-production,” mentioned Rakesh Aneja, vice chairman and chief of Zero-Emission Transformation Group at DTNA. “Our primary goal is to repair our lithium-ion battery materials and reduce the consumption of new resources.”

Remanufacture

When a battery or electrical automobile part is past easy restore, it enters the remanufacturing course of at present Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing areas throughout the U.S. just like the just lately expanded Hibbing facility with supposed reuse in automobiles. This course of entails partial disassembly, module alternative and rigorous testing for optimized reliability. All remanufactured merchandise are up to date with the newest expertise and should meet or exceed new product requirements to be reintroduced to the market.

Remanufactured merchandise are a cheap resolution that improves the full value of possession, benefiting each DTNA’s prospects and the atmosphere. Right now, the first EV elements for remanufacturing are Detroit batteries and eAxles, with potential for additional growth sooner or later.

Repurpose

DTNA has partnered with Nuvation Vitality to pilot a battery vitality storage system (BESS) designed to help in charging, peak shaving, backup storage and microgrid eventualities. This revolutionary resolution allows DTNA to repurpose batteries that can’t be reused in a automobile.

“We’re thrilled to announce the incorporation of DTNA’s first battery energy storage system units, designed by Nuvation Energy using Detroit battery modules, at Electric Island later this year,” continued Aneja. “Battery energy storage systems play a pivotal role in the electric vehicle ecosystem, given the escalating demand for charging infrastructure and limitations of the current power grid. As the number of EVs on the road increases, the existing grid capacity may struggle to meet charging demands. Energy storage systems alleviate this issue by facilitating off-peak charging, utilizing stored power when needed, and reducing reliance on the grid.”

Recycle

DTNA has created a course of in partnership with Li-Cycle, a number one lithium-ion battery useful resource restoration firm, to responsibly recycle essential battery-grade supplies for batteries that attain the top of their life cycle. Li-Cyle makes use of an environmentally pleasant and protected technique that recycles batteries inside a liquid-based resolution, attaining as much as a 95% restoration charge for returning essential supplies again to the battery provide chain whereas producing minimal water discharge.

“This circular approach extends beyond just batteries,” concluded Aneja. “We are actively working to apply this concept to other facets of our product development, aiming to increase our utilization of reusable or recyclable materials. Our goal is to continue contributing positively to the preservation of our planet for future generations.”

Path to Internet Zero Operations

Since 2006, DTNA has positioned a excessive precedence on establishing recycling options inside its manufacturing amenities. Early initiatives, akin to attaining ISO 14001 certification at each plant within the U.S. and Mexico by 2008 and Zero Waste to Landfill standing in any respect crops by 2017, underscore DTNA’s dedication to sustainable practices. Not solely does DTNA present sensible options for its manufacturing amenities, however it additionally communicates a transparent recycling technique to its prospects from the outset.

In keeping with its sustainability targets, DTNA goals to realize carbon neutrality for all new services and products from direct suppliers in Europe, the USA, and Japan by 2039. As early as 2020, the Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant, the place the Freightliner eCascadia and eM2 are constructed, achieved CO₂-neutral manufacturing by lowering vitality consumption and offsetting on-site emissions. DTNA additional plans to realize CO₂-neutral manufacturing in any respect its remaining truck manufacturing crops by 2025.

Press launch from Daimler Truck North America.