Second-Life Batteries & Recycling: What Homeowners and Vendors Need to Know in 2025

As household battery adoption surges, 2025 is the year second-life batteries and formal recycling systems start to matter at scale. Second-life reuse — where EV or primary-storage modules are repurposed for stationary home storage — can lower costs, while responsible recycling prevents hazardous waste and recovers valuable materials.

What ‘second-life’ means for homeowners

Second-life batteries are modules that no longer meet strict EV performance thresholds but still retain useful capacity and cycle life for lower-demand applications. For homeowners this means lower-cost entry to storage, but also a need to understand warranty differences, expected remaining cycles, and the vendor’s testing process.

Questions homeowners should ask

• Has the supplier performed capacity and safety testing? Request test reports.
• What warranty or pro-rated guarantee is offered for second-life units?
• How will the system handle module imbalance and BMS interoperability?
• Is there a clear end-of-life recycling pathway included in the contract?

What vendors and EPCs must prepare

Vendors should implement rigorous screening, refurbishment and BMS reprogramming workflows. Offer transparent degradation models, modular swap plans and clear buyback or recycling terms. Prepare customers for slightly higher maintenance and provide easy swap-out services when capacity falls below usable thresholds.

Recycling: regulations, economics and best practices

Recycling recovers cobalt, nickel, copper and aluminium (and increasingly lithium). In 2025, the economics of recycling are improving with dedicated collection networks, local refineries and policy support — but effective logistics and certified recycling partners remain essential to avoid environmental harm.

Practical vendor checklist for responsible circularity

• Partner with certified recyclers and provide take-back options in every sales contract.
• Maintain traceability: serial numbers, refurbishment history, and test logs.
• Offer clear guidance on safe storage and transport for end-of-life modules.
• Educate customers about the trade-offs between new vs second-life batteries (cost, lifespan, warranty).