BCI members provide energy storage technology that assists with climate change mitigation
The lead battery industry is doing its part to achieve a low carbon future by reducing greenhouse gas emissions on multiple fronts. Lead batteries support key applications and technologies in next-gen transportation, renewable energy, smart cities and connectivity – while modeling a highly sustainable, closed-loop manufacturing economy.
Leader in Circularity and Recycling
Lead batteries are one of the most environmentally sustainable battery technologies. Using smart lifecycle management, the lead battery industry operates a circular model that minimizes raw inputs, ensures a domestic supply chain, and stays economically competitive.
The lead battery recycling industry has an established infrastructure to collect, transport and recycle spent lead batteries. The lithium-ion battery industry lacks stable markets for the collection, transport and recovery of materials.
99% of lead batteries are recycled, making them the most recycled consumer product in the U.S. and the most recycled battery technology. In contrast, less than 15% of lithium-ion batteries are recycled.
Modern, closed-loop recycling in the U.S. keeps more than 160 million lead batteries from landfills each year and provides U.S. battery manufacturers a secure domestic supply of recycled inputs.
Lead from lead batteries can be recycled infinitely, with no loss of performance. A typical new lead battery is comprised of 80% recycled material, thanks to the circular model of the industry.
Lead batteries rank among the top five consumer product categories in sustainability. The World Economic Forum and MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics have praised the circular economy and recycling system of lead batteries.
Essential to Climate Change Mitigation Technologies
Lead battery technology continually innovates to support decarbonization goals of countries and smart cities, including carbon-free transportation and renewable energy storage.
Lead batteries are an integral part of start-stop and micro-hybrid vehicle engine systems, which lower fuel consumption by up to 10%. And virtually every hybrid and electric vehicle relies on a lead battery to power critical vehicle systems.
Start-stop technology using lead batteries is eliminating nearly 6.7 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually in the U.S.
50% of the world’s rechargeable energy storage needs are met by lead batteries. This includes wind and solar facilities, EV charging stations, backup for renewable powered data centers and grid-scale battery storage.
Smart cities rely on lead batteries to support multipronged, technology-driven approaches: decarbonizing electric grids, storing and regulating renewable energy, moving to electric and autonomous transportation, ensuring resiliency of data centers and telecommunications, and reducing waste and meeting circular economy goals.
Powering Utility Infrastructure, Microgrids and Off-Grid Areas
In remote geographic areas or overburdened grids around the world, lead batteries help communities meet their daily electricity needs, while reducing carbon emissions.
Lead batteries are key to providing off-grid solutions that are essential for cleaner cooking, refrigeration to reduce food waste, education, and overall greater connectivity.
In places with no access to a traditional power grid, lead batteries store energy from renewable energy sources to provide communities with continuous, 24-hour power for lighting, heat and connectivity.
Many electric grids experience increased demand (peak loads) during certain times of the day or times of the year like tourism seasons. Lead batteries reliably provide stored energy for these surges so communities don’t need to expand their fossil fuel infrastructure.
