Japanese legacy automaker Mazda, through its Australian arm, has just announced a new partnership with a local battery recycling startup to establish a circular electric vehicle economy.
Partnership details
Mazda tapped Melbourne-based firm Infinitev to secure its help recycling old battery packs just two months after it killed its sole electric vehicle offering in the Australian market, Drive reports.
Mazda Australia and Infinitev plan to recycle used batteries from the Japanese brand’s electric vehicles into new battery packs for future models.
Mazda officially quit selling a dedicated electric car in the country when it withdrew the MX-30 small SUV from the local market in October 2023. Therefore, the recycling program will only include the brand’s large hybrid CX-60 and CX-90 SUVs.
“As we continue to expand our lineup with electrified models such as the First-Ever, All-Hybrid Mazda CX-60 and CX-90 that each benefit from sophisticated battery technologies, it’s essential that we maintain a sustainable, multi-solution approach to this important aspect of a vehicles’ life cycle.”
Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak
Recycling process
Infinitev emphasized that it initially conducts a safety check before starting the recycling process of the old electric and hybrid car batteries under its rigorous protocol.
According to Manufacturers’ Monthly, it helps the company determine the ideal new application of the used batteries.
For instance, A-grade modules can support the production of new batteries for electric vehicle traction. B-grade modules can produce new battery energy storage systems (BESS), while C-grade modules can go to Infinitev’s partners for further material extraction.
In the case of his new partnership, the recycled batteries can potentially arrive as new battery packs for Mazda’s future electric vehicles.
“Our innovative reuse approach ensures that the transition to a circular economy is not only sustainable but also reduces waste and preserves valuable resources. Through responsible battery management, we can accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and build a greener Australia. The holistic recycling process provided by Infinitev will therefore be a key solution in giving valuable ‘second life’ opportunities to the batteries used in our vehicles.”
Dickson Leow, Infinitev General Manager
Mazda aims to only produce and sell battery electric and hybrid vehicles by the end of the decade. In that sense, the Japanese automaker plans to launch a new BEV model in 2025. Mazda North America CEO Tom Donnelly previously told Automotive News that the new model will sport a badge from the current portfolio, potentially the iconic CX-5 nameplate.
Benefits
Mazda’s partnership with Infinitev will pave the way for the establishment of the first circular electric vehicle battery economy. It will offer customers sustainable and green options to cut their overall carbon footprint in the EV sector.
It can significantly alleviate the prevailing environmental issues associated with electric vehicle batteries amid the global shift to sustainable mobility.
It can also boost Australia’s electric vehicle push to lower carbon emissions in its transportation sector and to advance in the highly competitive global EV market.
