German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz has opened Europe's first battery recycling plant with an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process making it the first car manufacturer worldwide to close the battery recycling loop with its own in-house facility.

The recycling plant in Kuppenheim, southern Germany, creates a genuine circular economy. Unlike existing established processes, the expected recovery rate of the mechanical-hydrometallurgical recycling plant is more than 96 percent. Valuable and scarce raw materials such as lithium, nickel and cobalt can be recovered – in a way which is suitable for use in new batteries for future all-electric Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The company has invested tens of millions of euros in the construction of the new battery recycling plant and thus in the value creation in Germany. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Baden-Württemberg's Environment Minister Thekla Walker visited the plant for the opening ceremony in Kuppenheim, Baden.

Ola Kaellenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group said, “Mercedes-Benz has set itself the goal of building the most desirable cars in a sustainable way. As a pioneer in automotive engineering, Europe's first integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical battery recycling factory marks a key milestone towards enhancing raw-materials sustainability. Together with our partners from industry and science, we are sending a strong signal of innovative strength for sustainable electric mobility and value creation in Germany and Europe.”

Ola Scholz said, “The future of the automobile is electric, and batteries are an essential component of this. To produce batteries in a resource-conserving and sustainable way, recycling is also key. The circular economy is a growth engine and, at the same time, an essential building block for achieving our climate targets! I congratulate Mercedes-Benz for its courage and foresight shown by this investment in Kuppenheim. Germany remains a cutting-edge market for new and innovative technologies.”

The luxury carmaker has joined hands with Primobius, a joint venture between German plant and mechanical engineering company SMS Group and Asutralian process technology developer Neometals, which is its technology partner for the battery recycling factory.

The plant is receiving funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of a scientific research project with three German universities. The project looks at the entire process chain for recycling, including logistics and reintegration concepts. The partners are thus making an important contribution to future scaling of the battery recycling industry in Germany.

Integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical

For the first time in Europe, the Mercedes-Benz battery recycling plant covers all steps from shredding battery modules to drying and processing active battery materials. The mechanical process sorts and separates plastics, copper, aluminium and iron in a complex, multi-stage process. The downstream hydrometallurgical process is dedicated to the so-called black mass. These are the active materials that make up the electrodes of the battery cells. The valuable metals cobalt, nickel and lithium are extracted individually in a multi-stage chemical process. These recyclates are of battery quality and therefore suitable for use in the production of new battery cells.

Unlike the pyrometallurgy established in Europe at present, the hydrometallurgical process is less-intensive in terms of energy consumption and material waste. Its low process temperatures of up to 80deg Celsius mean it consumes less energy. In addition, like all Mercedes-Benz production plants, the recycling plant operates in a net carbon-neutral manner. It is supplied with 100 percent green electricity. The roof area of the 6800 square-metre building is equipped with a photovoltaic system with a peak output of more than 350 kilowatts.

The Mercedes-Benz battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim has an annual capacity of 2,500 tonnes. The recovered materials feed into the production of more than 50,000 battery modules for new all-electric Mercedes-Benz models. The knowledge gained could help scale up production volumes in the medium to long term.

Holistic approach

Mercedes-Benz takes a holistic approach to the circularity of battery systems and considers three core topics: circular design, value retention and closing the material loop.

With its Design for Circularity approach, the OEM is taking the entire battery technology value chain into account from the outset. At the Mercedes-Benz eCampus in Stuttgart-Unterturkheim, which opened in 2024, circular thinking flows into the development of new battery cells. Battery production for electric Mercedes-Benz vehicles is net carbon-neutral in battery factories on three continents. Local battery production is a key factor for the success of the Mercedes-Benz sustainable business strategy.

In line with circular thinking and to conserve resources, the company offers reconditioned batteries as spare parts for all its electric vehicles. In addition, its Mercedes-Benz Energy subsidiary has established a successful business model with large-scale stationary storage applications. Batteries that are no longer suitable for vehicle use can enjoy a second life as part of an energy storage system.

Jorg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group, responsible for Production, Quality & Supply Chain Management stated “We are systematically deepening our expertise in the battery value chain. Following the opening of the Mercedes-Benz eCampus for development of new battery cell chemistries in Stuttgart-Unterturkheim, we are now sustainably closing the raw materials loop in Kuppenheim. The innovative technology enables us to recover valuable raw materials from the battery with the highest possible degree of purity. This turns today's batteries into tomorrow's sustainable mine for raw materials. The new battery recycling plant strengthens the role of the Mercedes-Benz production network with vehicle and drivetrain plants in Europe.”

Thekla Walker MdL, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Energy Baden-Wurttemberg said, “Battery recycling is of great importance to Baden-Wurttemberg as a state with such a strong automotive sector. Closing the loop on the value chain reduces dependencies, increases resilience in times of crisis and can smooth peaks and troughs in the availability of raw materials. Mercedes-Benz is a pioneer in this respect: With the integrated battery recycling plant, Mercedes-Benz has developed a sustainable approach for dealing with limited resources and is therefore making a valuable contribution to a truly circular economy. We are proud that in this federal state of innovators, we are also at the forefront in this field.”
 

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Toshiba has introduced a new SCiB 24V battery pack (P25H20-3), a lithium-ion solution designed for the automotive, marine and heavy equipment sectors. The battery is intended for seamless replacement of conventional lead-acid batteries.

The new product is already being used in the ‘e-Float Terrace,’ an electric boat from Yamaha Motor Co., which is scheduled to begin offering cruise experiences in Yokohama, Japan, this October.

The SCiB 24V battery pack, equipped with 20Ah-HP SCiB cells, is engineered to meet the D23 size specified for starter lead-acid batteries (JIS D 5301). This allows for direct replacement of existing 24V lead-acid units.

The pack can be deployed as a standalone unit or configured in series and parallel – up to 2 in series and 6 in parallel (48V, 5.76 kWh) – to meet power requirements. The battery’s capability to handle high-load operations makes it suitable for marine vessels, commercial vehicles (buses and trucks) and heavy equipment (construction and agricultural machinery).

Toshihiko Takaoka, Vice-President, Battery Division of Toshiba Corporation, said, “We engineer SCiB batteries for outstanding reliability in demanding environments. The 24V battery pack combines excellent low-temperature performance and vibration resistance with robust waterproofing certified to the IPX9K and IPX7 standards. Its exceptional long-life performance helps reduce maintenance requirements for electric boats. To extend these advantages to more partners, we will continue to pursue further orders across marine and other applications.”

The Japanese company shared that tis range of SCiB batteries are known for their high safety, long life, low-temperature performance, rapid charging capability and wide usable state-of-charge range.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

MoEVing, an electric mobility solutions firm, has partnered Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles dealers – Pascos, Johar Automobiles and Bhandari Automotive – to lease a fleet of 700 electric small commercial vehicles (e-SCVs). The fleet includes the Ace EV and Ace Pro EV.

The EVs will be used for last-mile deliveries in the e-commerce, logistics and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors across more than 10 Indian cities, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata. This deployment is expected to lead to a carbon emission reduction of almost 2,000 tonnes per year.

The collaboration introduces a business model where the Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles dealers will own and maintain the fleet, while MoEVing will operate it. This arrangement is intended to unlock operational efficiencies and enable scalable mobility solutions.

The partnership will serve over 20 enterprise clients, aiming to cover an estimated 25 million green kilometres annually.

Vikash Mishra, Founder and CEO, MoEVing, said, “Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of green, zero-emission mobility across India’s logistics. We have had excellent experience working with Tata Motors and are looking forward to deploying these vehicles across various use cases and segments. Our innovative business model for operating them on lease will enable scalable, cost-effective deployment of electric vehicles, streamline fleet ownership and maintenance, and accelerate scalability. We look forward to breaking more milestones with the largest deployment of Tata Electric Commercial vehicles across the country”

Pinaki Haldar, Vice-President & Business Head – SCVPU, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, added, “Tata Motors is steadfast in its commitment to driving India’s transition to green, zero-emission mobility. This partnership between MoEVing and our leading dealer partners – Pascos, Johar, and Bhandari Automotive – marks a pivotal step in scaling sustainable last-mile logistics. The Ace EV & Ace Pro EV are engineered to deliver superior performance, uptime and reliability in real-world operating conditions. Additionally, with a versatile range of load deck configurations and payload capacities, these vehicles are designed to meet the diverse needs of customers across businesses. Our robust network of over 200 dedicated EV support centres across the country ensure maximum uptime and swift turnaround, backed by trusted service and deep technical expertise.”

With the addition of 700 e-SCVs, MoEVing’s fleet now includes over 2,500 electric vehicles.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

American electric vehicle major Tesla has reported record revenue and free cash flow for the Q3 CY2025, supported by high vehicle deliveries and energy storage deployments.

The electric vehicle maker posted total revenue of USD 28.1 billion, a 12 percent increase YoY. Free cash flow reached nearly USD 4 billion, which the company states is its highest.

Total vehicle deliveries reached 497,099 in the quarter, a 7 percent YoY growth. Deliveries of the Model 3 and Model Y rose by 9 percent to 481,166 units. Energy storage deployments were a record 12.5 gigawatt hours (GWh), up 81 percent YoY.

Gross Margin stood at 18 percent, a drop of 185 basis points from the previous year. Gross profit was USD 5.1 billion, up 1 percent.

Operating income fell 40 percent YoY to USD 1.6 billion, resulting in a 5.8 percent operating margin. This decline was due to increased operating expenses, which rose 50 percent YoY to USD 3.4 billion, alongside higher average vehicle costs and a shift in sales mix. Lower regulatory credit revenue also impacted profitability.

Net income attributable to common stockholders reached USD 1.4 billion, a 37 percent drop. Cash, cash equivalents and investments increased by USD 4.9 billion to USD 41.6 billion.

During the quarter, Tesla expanded its vehicle range, launching the Model 3 and Model Y Standard variants. The company also launched the Model Y Performance and the Model YL in China, a longer six-seat version.

In the energy sector, Tesla unveiled Megapack 3 and Megablock, its next-generation industrial storage products. Production for Megapack 3 is scheduled to begin at Megafactory Houston in 2026. The company also launched a new lease offer in the US for solar and Powerwall systems.

Tesla launched its ride-hailing service in the Bay Area using Robotaxi technology and began deploying version 14 of FSD (Supervised) in October. The Supercharger network expanded by over 3,500 stalls in the quarter, an 18 percent YoY growth and it launched its first v4 Supercharger cabinets.

“While we face near-term uncertainty from shifting trade, tariff and fiscal policy, we are focused on long-term growth and value creation. We are prudently making the necessary investments in our business, including future business lines, that we believe will drive incredible value for Tesla and the world across transport, energy and robotics,” the company said in a statement.

Tesla indicated that Cybercab, Tesla Semi and Megapack 3 remain on schedule for volume production starting in 2026. Production lines for Optimus, the humanoid robot, are being installed in anticipation of volume production. The lithium refinery in Texas is expected to begin production in Q4 2025.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pune-headquartered alternative energy vehicle manufacturer Blue Energy Motors (BEM) has launched its electric heavy-duty truck, which is equipped with battery swapping technology.

The truck was unveiled by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, at Blue Energy Motors’ Chakan facility in Pune. Fadnavis also inaugurated, what is claimed to be India’s first electric corridor from Mumbai–Pune, which is the first step in a plan to electrify national highway corridors over the next three years.

What’s more, Blue Energy Motors has signed an MoU with the Maharashtra government to set up a new facility with a capacity of 30,000 trucks, backed by an investment of INR 35 billion. The automaker has received strong demand for its e-trucks and has signed MoUs for over 10,000 units.

The new e-truck is designed for Indian conditions and follows the success of Blue Energy Motors’ LNG-powered fleet. It features an unlimited range with battery swapping, the highest payload in its category and Advanced Mobility Intelligence. The launch also introduces India’s first Energy-as-a-Service model for heavy-duty trucks.

Devendra Fadnavis, said, “This launch showcases Maharashtra’s leadership in sustainable innovation. Blue Energy Motors’ Made-in-India Electric Truck with Battery Swapping Technology, along with the Mumbai–Pune corridor, India’s first highway to go electric aligns seamlessly with the nation’s vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat and for a greener, self-reliant future. I applaud their efforts in advancing both environmental sustainability and industrial growth”.

Anirudh Bhuwalka, Founder and Managing Director, Blue Energy Motors, said, “We believe that this is the beginning of the EV Revolution in India for heavy-duty trucks. Our electric truck delivers unlimited range through battery swapping, highest payload in its category and Advanced Mobility Intelligence for fleet reliability. The Mumbai–Pune corridor is the first step in building a nationwide network of sustainable logistics, driving India’s green freight future forward. With our Energy-as-a-Service model, we’re redefining fleet economics offering reduced upfront capital cost, lowest TCO with highest payload, minimal charging downtime and making it well-to-wheel green with renewable energy.”

Also read: Montra Electric Launches 55-Tonne Rhino E-Truck, Unveils Battery Swap Technology Too

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!