# Battery second life

This methodology covers projects that refurbish or regenerate used batteries, extend their usable lifetime, reduce hazardous waste, and avoid the production of new batteries. Eligible battery applications include starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI) batteries; light means of transport batteries (LMT); electric vehicle (EV) batteries; and energy storage systems (ESS). Eligible battery chemistries include nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), and lead-acid (Pb-acid) batteries.

| **Methodology name** | Battery second life |
| -------------------- | ------------------- |
| **Version**          | 1.1                 |
| **Methodology ID**   | RBW-REC-02-BAT-V1.1 |
| **Release date**     | July 9th, 2025      |
| **Status**           | In use              |

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[glossary](https://docs.rainbowstandard.io/~/changes/215/glossary)
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<summary>Acknowledgements <span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="1f91d">🤝</span></summary>

*This methodology was developed by Rainbow with support from Kees Wielenga (Ffact) and Alexandre Borde (Cibola Partners), and funding from the* [*EU Green Advisory Service for Sustainable Investments Support*](https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life/green-advisory-service-sustainable-investments-support-green-assist_en) *program.*

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<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="223"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Auxiliary components</strong></td><td>The individual non-electrochemical parts within a battery pack, including casings, connectors, and electronic control systems. It does not include Battery Units (BU) or Battery Management System (BMS).</td></tr><tr><td><a data-footnote-ref href="#user-content-fn-1"><strong>Battery cell</strong></a></td><td>The basic functional unit in a battery, composed of electrodes, electrolyte, container, terminals and, if applicable, separators, and containing the active materials the reaction of which generates electrical energy.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery marketplace</strong></td><td>An online or physical platform for buying, selling, or trading batteries or battery-related services.</td></tr><tr><td><a data-footnote-ref href="#user-content-fn-1"><strong>Battery Management System (BMS)</strong></a></td><td>Electronic device that manages the electric and thermal functions of a battery to ensure the it’s safety, performance and service life; and manages the data for determining the battery’s state of health and expected lifetime.</td></tr><tr><td><a data-footnote-ref href="#user-content-fn-1"><strong>Battery module</strong></a></td><td>Any set of battery cells that are connected or encapsulated within an outer casing to protect the cells against external impact. One module may be used alone or in combination with other modules.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery pack</strong></td><td>The item encompassing all other components described here. It includes battery units (arranged in series, parallel, or both), and depending on the specific battery type, may include a BMS and various auxiliary components.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery recycling</strong></td><td>The process of recovering used batteries to extract valuable materials (such as metals, plastics, and chemicals) and ensure that harmful substances are safely disposed of. Unlike refurbishing or regeneration, the recycled battery is no longer usable after the process.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery refurbishing</strong></td><td>The mechanical process of replacing worn components, reconditioning structure, disassembly, cleaning, and testing. High-quality parts are reused for "second-life" batteries, extending lifespan for battery repurposing or returning to its original application.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery regeneration</strong></td><td>The process of restoring battery performance by reversing chemical degradation, via e.g. deep discharging and recharging, or applying specific electrical pulses. It can also include electrolytes replacement (Pb-acid batteries). It improves battery's capacity and efficiency without replacing major components. The regenerated battery usually returns to its original application.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery repurposing</strong></td><td>A form of battery second life, where the battery is used in a different application than its original purpose and its first life use.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery reuse</strong></td><td>A form of battery second-life, where the battery is used in the same application as in its first life, that it was initially designed for.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery second life</strong></td><td>Extended use of a battery after it can no longer perform its original application from its first life. This reduces environmental impact by delaying recycling or disposal, and replacing the need for new battery production.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Battery Unit (BU)</strong></td><td>A single battery (lead-acid batteries) or cells and modules (li-ion and NiMH) that can store electrical energy and provide power.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>EV battery</strong></td><td>A battery designed specifically to power electric vehicles (EVs), typically using lithium-ion and NiMH chemistry.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)</strong></td><td>A policy approach that holds manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, especially waste management.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Energy storage system (ESS)</strong></td><td>A battery capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a later time.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Industrial battery</strong></td><td>Batteries that are used in off-highway electric vehicles such as forklifts, construction equipment such as scissor lifts, excavators, and agricultural machinery.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Li-ion</strong></td><td>Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that relies on lithium ions moving between a graphite anode and a lithium metal oxide cathode during charge and discharge cycles.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>LMT</strong></td><td>Batteries used in Light Means of Transport (LMT) such as e-bikes and e-scooters. Usually using Li-ion and NiMH battery chemistries.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>NiMH</strong></td><td>A battery Nickel Metal Hydrade (NiMH) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses a nickel oxide hydroxide cathode and a hydrogen-absorbing alloy anode.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Pb-acid</strong></td><td>Lead-acid (Pb-acid) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses lead dioxide as the cathode, sponge lead as the anode, and a sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Preparation for reuse</strong></td><td>Inspecting, testing, and preparing battery units, auxiliary components and packs to be reused in their original function without significant alterations</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Preparation for repurpose</strong></td><td>Inspecting, testing, and preparing battery units, auxiliary components and packs to be repurposed and used for a different function (e.g. an EV battery repurposed to an ESS).</td></tr><tr><td><strong>PRO</strong></td><td>A Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) is an organization or company responsible for ensuring that producers meet their environmental obligations under EPR frameworks.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>SLI</strong></td><td>Starting, Lighting, and Ignition (SLI) batteries are a specific type of lead-acid battery used in vehicles to power ignition, lights, and electronic accessories.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>SoH</strong></td><td>The State of Health (SoH) represents a battery's condition and energy capacity compared to its original state. Expressed as a percentage, 100% indicates perfect condition, while lower values show degradation due to factors like age and use. SoH helps evaluate a battery's performance, and is a factor in determining remaining battery lifetime.</td></tr></tbody></table>

[^1]: Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2023 concerning batteries and waste batteries, amending Directive 2008/98/EC and Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repealing Directive 2006/66/EC (Text with EEA relevance)
