Summary
– Daimler Truck North America is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by implementing a circular economy approach for lithium-ion battery materials used in electric vehicles
– The circular economy approach focuses on repairing, remanufacturing, repurposing, and recycling lithium-ion battery materials to maximize lifespan and reduce material waste
– Remanufactured products go through rigorous testing to meet or exceed new product standards before reintroduction to the market
– DTNA partners with Nuvation Energy for battery repurposing in energy storage systems, and with Li-Cycle for responsible recycling of critical battery-grade materials
– DTNA aims to achieve carbon neutrality for all new products and services from direct suppliers in Europe, the United States, and Japan by 2039, with specific CO2-neutral production goals for its manufacturing plants.
Article
Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) in Portland, Oregon is committed to reducing its overall carbon footprint by implementing a comprehensive circular economy approach across its operations. This strategy focuses on repairing, remanufacturing, repurposing, and recycling lithium-ion battery materials used in all DTNA electric vehicles (EVs). The goal is to maximize battery lifespans and reduce material waste, ultimately addressing global sustainability challenges by extending the usability of rare-earth materials and products. Leveraging advanced technology, DTNA can determine when a lithium-ion battery no longer meets the company’s high standards for vehicle use, guiding the decision on the optimal process to maximize materials for a second life.
In addition to batteries, DTNA’s circular economy approach extends to all components of the EV product. The company is dedicated to assessing environmental and ethical implications from sourcing to post-production in order to maximize material life cycles and reduce the consumption of new resources. The focus is on repairing lithium-ion battery materials and reducing the reliance on new resources. When a battery or EV component is beyond repair, it enters the remanufacturing process at existing Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing locations across the U.S., with the intention of reuse in vehicles after partial disassembly, module replacement, and rigorous testing.
DTNA has also partnered with Nuvation Energy to pilot a battery energy storage system (BESS) designed to repurpose batteries that cannot be reused in a vehicle for charging, peak shaving, backup storage, and microgrid scenarios. The incorporation of battery energy storage systems using Detroit battery modules at Electric Island is a significant step in the electric vehicle ecosystem, especially as the demand for charging infrastructure escalates and the current power grid faces limitations. Energy storage systems play a crucial role in facilitating off-peak charging, utilizing stored power when needed, and reducing reliance on the grid as the number of EVs on the road increases.
Furthermore, DTNA has established a partnership with Li-Cycle to responsibly recycle critical battery-grade materials for batteries that reach the end of their life cycle. This process achieves up to a 95% recovery rate for returning critical materials back to the battery supply chain while producing minimal water discharge. The company’s circular approach extends beyond batteries as it works towards applying the concept to other facets of product development to increase the utilization of reusable or recyclable materials. The overall goal is to make a positive contribution to the preservation of the planet for future generations.
Since 2006, DTNA has been focusing on establishing recycling solutions within its production facilities, achieving ISO 14001 certification at all U.S. and Mexico plants by 2008 and Zero Waste to Landfill status at all plants by 2017. The company aims to achieve carbon neutrality for all new products and services from direct suppliers in Europe, the United States, and Japan by 2039. The Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant achieved CO₂-neutral production in 2020 by reducing energy consumption and offsetting on-site emissions for the Freightliner eCascadia and eM2 models. DTNA plans to achieve CO₂-neutral production at all its remaining truck manufacturing plants by 2025. The company is committed to sustainable practices and clear recycling strategies for both its production facilities and customers.
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