BMW i4 eDrive40 battery recycling in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia is a diagnostics site: BMW i4 eDrive40 packs arrive here from intake yards for module-level capacity, resistance and impedance testing, which decides reuse or refining.
Pack value at 80% SOH
3,932 USD
Hybrid Split
Second-life share
47%
At 80% SOH
Site capacity
22,000 TPA
Cell Grading & Diagnostics
Cities served
0
From Atlanta, Georgia
Where a BMW i4 eDrive40 pack goes from Atlanta, Georgia
- 1
Collected via Detroit, Michigan
Whole packs enter the network at Detroit — Michigan Closed-Loop Plant, 961 km away, where they are weighed and de-energised.
- 2
Module grading at Atlanta, Georgia
All 8 modules are tested for capacity, DC resistance and impedance, then assigned grade A to D.
- 3
Second life at Gothenburg, Sweden
At 80% SOH about 47% of the pack qualifies for reuse and goes to Gothenburg — Nordic Second-Life Campus (7,243 km). Good — grade-A modules above 80% SOH qualify for commercial-scale BESS strings.
- 4
Refined at Reno, Nevada
Remaining modules are shredded to black mass and refined at Reno — Nevada Hydrometallurgy Refinery, 3,203 km away.
| Stage | Facility | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest intake yard | Detroit — Michigan Closed-Loop Plant | 961 km |
| Nearest second-life works | Gothenburg — Nordic Second-Life Campus | 7,243 km |
| Nearest refinery | Reno — Nevada Hydrometallurgy Refinery | 3,203 km |
Faster option
Inside the BMW i4 eDrive40 battery
The BMW i4 eDrive40 (2022) carries a 83.9 kWh NMC 811 Cylindrical 2170 pack with 8 modules at 398 V, weighing roughly 470 kg. High-nickel cylindrical cells with the strongest hydrometallurgical recovery credit per tonne of black mass.
| Service year | SOH | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | 94.5% | A — BESS ready | USD 5,244 |
| Year 4 | 90.2% | A — BESS ready | USD 5,035 |
| Year 6 | 85.9% | A — BESS ready | USD 4,754 |
| Year 8 | 81.6% | B — Second life | USD 4,135 |
| Year 10 | 77.3% | B — Second life | USD 3,625 |
What the chemistry means here
How it ages
NMC 811 loses capacity through a mix of SEI growth, cathode surface reconstruction and micro-cracking of nickel-rich particles. Resistance climbs faster than in LFP, which matters as much as capacity for second-life duty.
Thermal behaviour
High-nickel NMC cathodes release oxygen as they decompose, so once runaway starts it is fast and energetic. Cylindrical 2170 cells vent through a designed rupture point, which helps, but cell-to-cell propagation inside a tightly packed module is the main hazard.
Handling NMC 811 (2170)
Collecting a BMW i4 eDrive40 pack
83.9 kWh, 8 modules, about 470 kg — this is how the Atlanta, Georgia team plans the job.
Removal
Packs are dropped on a vehicle lift using the OEM procedure and a rated battery table, then isolated at the service disconnect.
Packaging
One pack per UN-rated pallet box, strapped and restrained, with terminals capped and coolant ports sealed.
Consolidation
Dealer and workshop returns are consolidated into full truckloads, typically eight or more packs per run.
Before the truck arrives
- Pull the service disconnect and record pack voltage
- Drain or cap coolant lines before lifting
- Photograph the pack casing and any impact damage
- Keep the VIN and pack serial together on the manifest
Atlanta, Georgia site notes
- Fleet depots across the south-east can book consolidated pickups to share transport cost.
- Send serial lists so grading reports map directly to your asset records.
- Damaged or recalled packs must be declared so they ship under the correct DOT provisions.
- Shrink-wrap pallets and label them with the correct UN numbers before collection.
What this pack yields
lithium
4.77 kg
nickel
30.82 kg
cobalt
3.82 kg
manganese
3.55 kg
copper
15.28 kg
aluminium
12.82 kg
Refining-route estimate at 80% SOH. Measured module health on the bench sets the final split.
Rules in United States
EPA universal waste rules, DOT hazardous materials regulations and state programmes
Regulator: EPA, DOT PHMSA and state environmental agencies
The centre operates under Georgia Environmental Protection Division requirements and manages spent lithium-ion batteries under the US EPA universal waste framework where applicable. Transport follows US DOT hazardous materials rules for lithium batteries.
BMW i4 eDrive40 in Atlanta, Georgia: common questions
Can I drop off a BMW i4 eDrive40 battery at Atlanta, Georgia?
Atlanta, Georgia is a cell grading & diagnostics and does not accept whole packs from customers. Book a collection and the pack enters the network at Detroit, Michigan, 961 km away.
What happens to BMW i4 eDrive40 modules after Atlanta, Georgia?
Collected via Detroit, Michigan, then Module grading at Atlanta, Georgia, then Second life at Gothenburg, Sweden, then Refined at Reno, Nevada. At 80% SOH roughly 47% of the pack goes to second life and the rest is refined.
How should a BMW i4 eDrive40 pack be prepared for pickup?
Pull the service disconnect and record pack voltage. Drain or cap coolant lines before lifting. Photograph the pack casing and any impact damage. Keep the VIN and pack serial together on the manifest.
Which rules apply to BMW i4 eDrive40 recycling in United States?
EPA universal waste rules, DOT hazardous materials regulations and state programmes, overseen by EPA, DOT PHMSA and state environmental agencies. Shipments follow DOT PHMSA 49 CFR requirements, with damaged or defective batteries under stricter special permits and packaging.
BMW i4 eDrive40 at other sites
Retiring BMW i4 eDrive40 packs near Atlanta, Georgia?
Share pack counts and condition. The despatch desk confirms a collection window within one working day and sends the right packaging.