Tesla can make billion mile packs and recycling will still be relevant.
- Tesla buys third party cells from other manufacturers and will for some time.
- Accidents happen and damaged packs will likely need to be recycled.
- Rust, floods, road salts, idiots who drive into the lake… water damage is bad.
- Testing and quality control only go so far and some packs will fail.
- Other car makers exist for the moment. Likely other battery makers will exist for a long time.
- Someone will need to be prepared to recycle Tesla’s packs until they get that billion mile pack complete.
The bigger question in my mind is what happens to the vehicle husk?
If the battery lasts millions of miles, we’re going to have lots of vehicles with completely blown out interiors and trashed paint. Do we get specialized restorers who tear down and rehabilitate old Teslas? Seems like a natural role for mechanics to slide into once ICE vehicle repairs becomes obsolete. Suspension, seats, body work, will all need some love.