General Motors implements energy reductions and battery recycling

General Motors is implementing several sustainability initiatives focused on energy reduction and battery circularity. The company has reported a 25 percent reduction in energy use at its North American facilities over a five-year period, utilizing solar power and landfill gas as renewable sources.

In its battery operations, GM has begun producing electric vehicles with batteries containing materials recycled from end-of-life GM EVs. Through a pilot program with Cirba Solutions, the company recovered black mass from 80 batteries to produce 12 metric tons of new cathode active material. This process allows for the recovery of up to 95 percent of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and 80 percent of lithium.

The recycled materials have been integrated into new battery cells for several production models, including the Cadillac Lyriq, Vistiq, Escalade IQ, and the Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss.