Case Study: Battery at the End of Its Life Cycle
The ERDF-funded development project Lithium-Ion Battery Repairability, Diagnostics, and Reuse Enhancement, led by Turku University of Applied Sciences, is based on practical case studies aimed at generating new knowledge on the lifecycle, repairability, diagnostics, and safe handling of electric vehicle batteries at different stages of their service life. The studies focus particularly on the technical, operational, and safety-related challenges encountered by repair shops, vehicle dismantlers, and other industry stakeholders when handling high-voltage batteries from electric vehicles.
This case study examines the dismantling process of a damaged electric vehicle and the related safety considerations through a real-world example. The study focuses on a vehicle in which an error during a maintenance procedure resulted in damage to the high-voltage battery, a serious safety incident, and ultimately a battery fire. The case illustrates how risks associated with electric vehicle battery systems can extend beyond actual battery repair work and how insufficient knowledge of the battery’s true condition or the extent of damage can complicate safe operations.
The report brings together the key findings from the dismantling process and examines their significance from the perspectives of electric vehicle circularity, safety, and the development of future operating practices. At the same time, it highlights the need for harmonized procedures, reliable diagnostic methods, and research-based guidelines to support the safe and efficient reuse of batteries in a changing operating environment.
Whole report in Finnish:
➡️Case Study: Sähköautonpurku Oili Jalosen autopurkamolla
Please note that some concepts and terminology may change when translating the text from Finnish into English.