GM Puts Recycled Battery Metals Into Customer EVs
General Motors has begun installing battery cells containing recycled materials into new electric vehicles, marking the first time the automaker has used recovered cathode active material in customer-ready cars. The pilot program, conducted with recycling partner Cirba Solutions, processed 80 end-of-life battery packs to produce 12 metric tons of new cathode material composed of 100% recycled nickel, cobalt, and manganese. These cells, validated to meet the same safety and performance standards as virgin materials, are now powering models including the Cadillac Lyriq, Vistiq, and Escalade IQ, as well as the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV. GM states that current recycling technologies can recover up to 95% of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and 80% of lithium, though the pilot specifically focused on the former three metals. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on new mineral extraction, lower battery costs, and support supply chain resilience. While GM’s cells are already in production vehicles, competitors like Porsche are still testing similar recycled materials and plan to integrate them by 2028. The move represents a significant step toward a closed-loop battery lifecycle, complementing GM’s existing second-life energy storage programs with Redwood Materials.
