Tesla details Closed Loop battery recycling program for Europe

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Electric cars need big 'ol batteries, like the Model S pack shown
above, and while we've seen time and again that those cells hold up
better than expected for years, eventually they're going to need to be
decommissioned. What happens then? Tesla already has a recycling
program in the US and now it's detailing plans for a similar program
in Europe in partnership with Umicore. Tesla's packs are now eligible
for Umicore's "Closed Loop" process, disassembling them to remove
easily re-used components and then refining the rest of the cell
constituents into things like lithium cobalt oxide, which can be used
in other batteries, and other various byproducts that can be used in
cement or as fill. The whole process of breaking down and extracting
all the components is actually profitable, so hopefully Euro drivers
won't get hit with any pricey Roadster disposal fees when they trade
up to a Model S.