Ecobat to recycle Volkswagen Group UK’s EV batteries

Dallas-based Ecobat says it has signed an agreement with Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Ltd. (VWG UK) to collect and recycle electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Under this latest agreement, Ecobat will collect high-voltage EV batteries from dealers, distributors and end-of-life recycling centers using Ecobat’s vehicles that comply with the Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). Batteries will be processed at Ecobat’s new U.K. lithium-ion recycling center, which is its third facility.  The company also has facilities in Germany and Arizona.

The companies have a longstanding relationship that dates back to 2014. At that time, Ecobat says it started collecting lead-acid batteries for TPS, the Volkswagen Group Genuine Parts provider to the independent motor trade. The contract was expanded in 2019, when Ecobat started working with high-voltage batteries. Since the company’s U.K. Diagnostics and Disassembly Centre in Darlaston in the West Midlands was opened, Ecobat says has processed and upgraded thousands of batteries.

“I’m pleased to be extending and expanding our relationship with Ecobat,” says Director of One Aftersales for Volkswagen Group UK Sylvain Charbonnier. As we move to decarbonize road transport, the number of electric vehicles in our car park is rapidly increasing, and we need to ensure sustainability throughout the life cycle. Working with our trusted partners, we are confident we can reassure our dealers and customers that we are responsibly moving towards our electrification goals.”