BYD Blade Battery 60 kWh: recycling and second-life options
Reviewed by the eCycling Central editorial team on April 2026
The BYD Blade Battery 60 kWh (BYD, 2020-2024) is a LiFePO4 (LFP) Blade battery pack with 60 kWh capacity, weighing 380 kg. End-of-life routes split between second-life applications (typically 5-10 more years of grid storage / stationary use) and full material recycling.
Material composition
A typical BYD Blade Battery 60 kWh contains:
- Lithium: 7 kg (lithium carbonate equivalent ~6x weight)
- Cobalt: 0 kg (none - LFP chemistry)
- Nickel: 0 kg (none - LFP chemistry)
- Copper: ~25-50 kg in busbars and current collectors
- Aluminium: ~30-60 kg in cell housings and pack structure
- Steel: pack enclosure
- Graphite: anode material
- Lithium-ion cathode active material: depends on chemistry
Second-life value
A BYD Blade Battery 60 kWh typically retains 70-80% capacity at the end of its first automotive life (8-15 years). At that point it has 5-10 more years of useful life in lower-cycle applications:
- Grid stabilisation: large fleet partnerships (B2U Storage Solutions, Connected Energy)
- Solar self-consumption storage: residential battery walls (some offerings repackage former EV cells)
- Off-grid power: marine, RV, off-grid cabin
Typical second-life market value: $3000-7000.
Where to sell: BatteryGenie, Re-Volv, B2U Storage Solutions, direct to integrators (Connected Energy in UK, Powervault).
Full recycling value
If second-life isn't viable (cell damage, capacity below 60%), full material recycling routes:
- Recycling value: $280-650
- Recycling cost: $200-500
- Net economics: generally positive for NMC/NCA chemistries, slightly negative for LFP chemistries (lower precious-metal content)
Major battery recyclers:
- Li-Cycle (US, Canada, Europe) - hub-and-spoke model
- Redwood Materials (US) - integrated cell-to-cell recycling
- Umicore (Belgium, global) - integrated smelter
- Northvolt Revolt (Sweden) - in-process pre-bankruptcy
- Ecobat - lead-acid + lithium-ion
- Battery Recyclers of America (US)
Manufacturer take-back
BYD sustainability page
In the EU, manufacturers are obligated under EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 (effective 2024) to provide free take-back for EV batteries. In the US, state-level laws vary - California's SB 615 (effective 2026) requires similar manufacturer responsibility.
Compliance and safety
EV batteries are classified as UN3480 / UN3481 (lithium-ion battery) under hazardous-materials transport regulations. Movement requires:
- Class 9 hazmat-certified transporter
- Damaged-pack protocol (typically requires container with non-conductive padding)
- Documentation: Bill of Lading + UN packaging certificate
Cannot be transported on a regular vehicle without certified packaging.
Sources
- US DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory ReCell Center
- IEA Global EV Outlook 2024
- BYD battery sustainability disclosure
- EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542
- LME spot prices for cobalt, nickel