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November 4, 2024
In 2024, Battery Council International (BCI) celebrates its 100-year anniversary as the leading trade association of the North American battery industry. Our passion is educating people on the critical role of batteries in powering our daily lives – and unlocking the tremendous potential of energy storage, especially for achieving a lower carbon future. Above all, our members are committed to safe, responsible battery manufacturing and sustaining the world’s most successful circular economy.
BCI’s National Recycling Rate Study confirms that the U.S. lead battery industry continues its outstanding recycling rate of 99% — the highest of any consumer product in the U.S. Lead batteries are the gold standard in how to create a highly successful, closed-loop, domestic circular economy.
A recent study commissioned by BCI shows the U.S. battery industry contributes nearly $8.1 trillion in domestic economic output and supports 48 million diverse American jobs that are reliant on the battery industry.
The electrification of the global car parc is underway and batteries are a key enabler. Lead batteries are critical to accelerating the transition, nearly every electric vehicle requires a 12V battery, which typically is a lead battery. Lead batteries are also key to creating more – and more sustainable – EV charging stations. With a 99% recycling rate, lead batteries elevate the sustainability profile of EVs and lead-battery-supported charging stations.
The energy landscape is quickly changing, propelled by the need for domestically secure cleaner, greener energy. Battery energy storage is key to harnessing the power of renewable energy. Multiple battery chemistries, including lead batteries, are pivotal in maximizing both the power and sustainable impact of renewable energy sources. Today, lead batteries comprise nearly 45% of the worldwide rechargeable battery market share, including wind and solar energy storage, for commercial, residential and community-based installations.
There is still a lead acid battery in the majority of EVs. [And] we’re also seeing an increase in the number of multi-battery systems – vehicles with more than one battery, a primary and auxiliary battery.