## Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) battery: recycling and second-life options
*Reviewed by the eCycling Central editorial team on May 2026*
The Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) (Nissan, 2019-) carries a **62 kWh** battery pack using **NMC** chemistry from cell supplier **AESC / Envision**. The pack weighs **430 kg**. End-of-life routes split between second-life applications (typically 5-10 more years of grid storage) and full material recycling.
## Battery specifications
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity (gross) | 62 kWh |
| Chemistry | NMC |
| Cell supplier | AESC / Envision |
| Pack weight | 430 kg |
| Manufacturer | Nissan |
| Production years | 2019- |
## Recoverable materials
A typical Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) pack contains:
- **Lithium:** 7 kg (carbonate-equivalent ~37 kg)
- **Cobalt:** 5 kg
- **Nickel:** 45 kg
- **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
- **Manganese:** present in NMC chemistry packs
## Second-life value
A Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) pack typically retains **70-80% capacity** at the end of its first automotive life (~8-15 years). At that point it has 5-10 more useful years in lower-cycle applications:
- **Grid stabilisation** - 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
- **EV charging buffer** - used at fast-charge sites to reduce peak grid draw
**Typical second-life market value: $2500-6000 USD**
Where to sell second-life packs:
- B2U Storage Solutions
- Connected Energy (UK)
- Powervault (UK residential)
- Re-Volv
- Direct sale to integrators via specialist brokers
## Full recycling value
If second-life isn't viable (cell damage, capacity below 60%, no buyer), full material recycling routes:
- **Recovery value:** $750-1400 USD
- **Recycling cost:** $200-500 USD
- **Net economics:** Generally net-positive - manufacturer often sees a credit when delivering NMC/NCA packs
Major battery recyclers operating in Nissan's key markets:
- **Li-Cycle** (US, Canada, Europe) - hub-and-spoke model
- **Redwood Materials** (US) - integrated cell-to-cell recycling, supplies recovered cathode material back to major OEMs
- **Umicore** (Belgium, global) - integrated smelter
- **Ecobat** - lead-acid + lithium-ion
- **Nissan closed-loop programme** (where available - see take-back URL below)
## Manufacturer take-back
[Nissan sustainability + battery recycling](https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/SUSTAINABILITY/)
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.
## Where this fits in the bigger picture
By 2030, the IEA projects **1.4 million tonnes of [EV battery](https://ecyclingcentral.com/ev-batteries) waste annually** globally. The Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) contributes to this stream when retired. With 7 kg of lithium per pack, recovering even a fraction returns critical minerals to the supply chain - recovered lithium typically costs 30-50% less in carbon footprint than freshly mined material (NREL ReCell Center data).
## Related guides
- [Live Global E-Waste Counter](/tools/global-e-waste-counter) - see e-waste accumulating in real-time
- [Manufacturer Sustainability Scorecard](/guides/nissan-sustainability-scorecard-2026) - how Nissan ranks on take-back, repairability, and [Right to Repair](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/[right-to-repair](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/right-to-repair-what-it-means)-what-it-means)
- [Right to Repair Legislation Tracker](/guides/right-to-repair-legislation-tracker)
## Sources
- Nissan battery sustainability disclosure
- US DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory ReCell Center
- IEA Global EV Outlook 2024
- EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542
- Cell supplier (AESC / Envision) published specifications
- LME spot prices for cobalt, nickel, lithium carbonate
Equipment we recommend
Independent picks reviewed by eCycling Central's editorial team. Last checked: May 2026. Links are affiliate (we may earn a commission at no cost to you).
Specs: Single-phase + clamp, WiFi, 120A
Typical price: £45-£59
Why it matters: DIN-rail meter for monitoring solar export / EV charging in real time; cheap entry to home energy data
Specs: Whole-home clamp + display, no WiFi needed
Typical price: £89-£129
Why it matters: easiest install - no electrician required; clearest at-a-glance use display for non-technical users
Specs: Wireless clamp + USB data logger
Typical price: £59-£89
Why it matters: logs whole-home consumption for export to CSV - ideal evidence for grant applications and SAP-rating audits
Specs: 13A / 3kW, Type 2 EV plug, 5m cable
Typical price: £139-£189
Why it matters: backup charger for any 3-pin UK socket; adds ~13 miles per hour; essential for renters and visitors
## Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) Battery: real recycling routes + economics (2026)
### Why Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) Battery recycling matters
Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) Battery represents a large unit of recoverable critical materials - lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper. As EV adoption scales (UK + EU fleet projected 30% EV by 2030; US 25%), end-of-life battery volume will hit ~1.2 million tonnes/year globally by 2030 (BloombergNEF Q1 2026).
### Typical recovery pathway
For Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) Battery reaching end-of-life (typically 8-12 years from manufacture):
1. **State of Health (SoH) assessment** - battery management system (BMS) read or third-party diagnostic (Connected Energy, Aceleron, Smartville). SoH determines recycling vs second-life route.
2. **If SoH > 70%**: route to second-life storage. Sells for £30-£75 per usable kWh - substantially more than material recovery value.
3. **If SoH < 70%**: route to recycling. Pyrometallurgical (Glencore Belgium, Korea Zinc) or hydrometallurgical (Li-Cycle, Redwood Materials, Ascend Elements) processing.
4. **Compliant transport** required throughout - UN 3480 Class 9 dangerous goods, ADR-licensed (EU/UK) or DOT HM-181 carrier (US).
5. **Certificate of Recycling** issued post-processing, required for EV manufacturer's EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 compliance reporting.
### Material recovery value for Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) Battery
Per-kWh recoverable material value depends on chemistry. For modern EV traction batteries:
- **NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt)** - recovered at ~£7-£12/kWh of capacity
- **NCA (Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminium)** - ~£8-£11/kWh
- **LFP (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate)** - ~£0.80-£2.20/kWh (much lower - no cobalt or nickel content)
Use our [EV Battery Recycling Value Calculator](/tools/ev-battery-recycling-value-calculator) for chemistry-specific estimation on Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) Battery.
### Compliant recyclers handling Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) Battery
**United Kingdom + EU:**
- Connected Energy (Newcastle, UK) - second-life storage specialist
- EMR Metal Recycling (UK-wide) - pyrometallurgical recovery
- Glencore Belgium - large-scale Glencore-owned smelter operation
- Northvolt Revolt (Sweden) - battery-to-battery closed-loop recycling
- Aurubis (Germany) - copper + battery metal recovery
**United States + Canada:**
- Redwood Materials (Nevada) - JB Straubel's company, hydrometallurgical
- Li-Cycle (Rochester NY + Tuscaloosa AL + Toronto) - spoke-and-hub model
- Ascend Elements (Worcester MA + Hopkinsville KY) - cathode-grade recovery
- Cirba Solutions - 10 US sites, full-service recycling
**Asia-Pacific:**
- Brunp Recycling (China) - CATL subsidiary
- Sungeel HiTech (South Korea) - lithium recovery specialist
- TES-AMM (Singapore + global) - Asia-Pacific market leader
### Frequently asked questions
**How much does Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) Battery weigh + cost to ship?**
Typically 350-700 kg for traction packs. UN 3480 hazmat shipping: £180-£500 per pack typical for collection + transport to certified recycler. Often included in trade-in / decommissioning quotes.
**Is the battery owner responsible if it leaks in transit?**
Yes if shipper not certified. The waste producer (vehicle owner) has primary liability under cradle-to-grave rules (US RCRA, UK Hazardous Waste Regs). Always use certified carriers + retain Bill of Lading + Certificate of Destruction.
**Can Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) Battery be re-used in a different car?**
Generally no - pack-level integration is vehicle-specific. Module + cell-level reuse for stationary storage IS common (Connected Energy, Smartville). Don't try DIY pack-to-vehicle conversion - BMS + voltage incompatibility + safety risk.
**What if Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) Battery is fire-damaged?**
UN 3480 PI 965 special procedures apply - typically £500-£1,200 per pack for fire-damaged recovery. Cannot be transported in normal carriers. Specialist hazmat company required.
## Related guides
- [EV Battery Recycling Value Calculator](/tools/ev-battery-recycling-value-calculator) - chemistry-specific per-kWh estimate
- [Battery Recycling Pickup Finder](/tools/battery-recycling-pickup-finder) - locate compliant collection
- [Carbon Footprint Calculator](/tools/carbon-footprint-calculator) - environmental impact of EV battery EOL
---
*Recovery economics + recycler list verified against IEA Battery Recycling Outlook 2024, IEA Global EV Outlook 2026, EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 implementing acts, and major recycler 2025-2026 published data as of 2026-05-20. Operated by Defining Style Limited (UK Companies House 10572391, ICO Registration ZA711914).*
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a used Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) battery worth?
Second-life market value (for grid storage, residential battery wall, off-grid use) typically $2500-6000 USD. Full recycling material value $750-1400 USD. Almost always more economic to extend useful life via second-life rather than scrap immediately.
What chemistry is the Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) battery?
NMC, supplied by AESC / Envision. The pack weighs 430 kg and stores 62 kWh of energy.
How is the Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) battery recycled?
Major recyclers (Li-Cycle, Redwood Materials, Umicore) dismantle the 430 kg pack, test cells for second-life eligibility (70%+ capacity), then non-viable cells go through hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical processing to recover lithium (7 kg), cobalt (5 kg), nickel (45 kg), copper, and aluminium.
Does Nissan take back the Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) battery?
Yes. See [Nissan take-back programme](https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/SUSTAINABILITY/). Under EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 (effective 2024), all EU sales include free manufacturer take-back at end-of-life. US take-back is currently voluntary with state-level requirements emerging (California SB 615 effective 2026).
Can I transport an EV battery myself?
No. The Nissan Leaf e+ (62 kWh) battery is UN3480/UN3481 hazmat-classified. Movement requires a Class 9 certified transporter with proper packaging and Bill of Lading. Damaged packs have additional protocol. Cannot be moved on a regular vehicle.