Dozens of electric vehicles are scheduled to debut in the next few years and over 300 million electric vehicles are expected to be on the world’s roads by 2030. The lifetime for an EV battery is estimated to be 12 to 15 years in moderate climates, but that doesn’t mean the batteries end up in landfills when they die.
There are a number of companies working on lithium-ion battery recycling including Li-Cycle, Redwood Materials and Spiers New Technologies, or SNT.
SNT focuses on refurbishing, repurposng and recycling EV batteries to give them a second life. It already works with Volvo, Porsche, GM, Ford and others to take old batteries and make them new again. The estimated reuse lifetime of an EV battery can range anywhere from five to 30 years.
By 2050, the demand for graphite, lithium and cobalt is expected to increase by 500 percent because of the battery boom, so extending the life of an EV battery can reduce the need for critical minerals and new mines.
CNBC visited SNT at i
Boeing’s 747 is one the most recognizable planes to take to the skies with its iconic hump, four engines, extensive landing gear and sheer size. Since its first commercial flight in 1970, Boeing’s 747 jumbo jet has flown more than 3.5 billion passengers. But over the last few decades, airlines have looked for more ways to cut costs and to make airplanes more efficient. Two engine jets can now fly near the same capacity and further than older four engine planes like Boeing’s 747 and the Airbus A380. CNBC visited Boeing’s Everett, Washington factory to see the last 747 roll off the production line. It will go to Atlas Air for cargo deliveries.
CNBC takes a look at how the 747 changed aviation and what’s next for Boeing.
Chapters:
2:50 – Development
7:11 – Commercial Service
11:09 – Evolution
13:14 – Decline
16:20 – End of Production
18:33 – The Future
Credits:
Produced by: Erin Black
Additional Camera: Andrew Evers, Katie Tarasov
Supervising Producer: Jeniece Petti