Citroen eC3 battery recycling in Stuttgart, Germany
Stuttgart, Germany is a diagnostics site: Citroen eC3 packs arrive here from intake yards for module-level capacity, resistance and impedance testing, which decides reuse or refining.
Pack value at 80% SOH
935 USD
Hybrid Split
Second-life share
56%
At 80% SOH
Site capacity
28,000 TPA
Cell Grading & Diagnostics
Cities served
12
From Stuttgart, Germany
Where a Citroen eC3 pack goes from Stuttgart, Germany
- 1
Collected via Dubai, UAE
Whole packs enter the network at Dubai — Jebel Ali Logistics Yard, 4,759 km away, where they are weighed and de-energised.
- 2
Module grading at Stuttgart, Germany
All 10 modules are tested for capacity, DC resistance and impedance, then assigned grade A to D.
- 3
Second life at Zwickau, Saxony
At 80% SOH about 56% of the pack qualifies for reuse and goes to Zwickau — Saxony Second-Life Works (321 km). Excellent — long calendar life makes LFP the preferred feedstock for stationary BESS repurposing.
- 4
Refined at Lyon, France
Remaining modules are shredded to black mass and refined at Lyon — Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Refinery, 469 km away.
| Stage | Facility | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest intake yard | Dubai — Jebel Ali Logistics Yard | 4,759 km |
| Nearest second-life works | Zwickau — Saxony Second-Life Works | 321 km |
| Nearest refinery | Lyon — Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Refinery | 469 km |
Faster option
Inside the Citroen eC3 battery
The Citroen eC3 (2023) carries a 29.2 kWh LFP Prismatic (LiFePO4) pack with 10 modules at 320 V, weighing roughly 216 kg. Cobalt-free prismatic chemistry dominant in Indian passenger EVs and commercial fleets. Low black mass value, exceptional second-life economics.
| Service year | SOH | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | 95.6% | A — BESS ready | USD 1,522 |
| Year 4 | 92.5% | A — BESS ready | USD 1,474 |
| Year 6 | 89.4% | A — BESS ready | USD 1,426 |
| Year 8 | 86.3% | A — BESS ready | USD 1,362 |
| Year 10 | 83.2% | B — Second life | USD 1,143 |
What the chemistry means here
How it ages
LFP fades slowly and fairly linearly for most of its life. Capacity loss is driven mainly by lithium inventory being locked up in the SEI layer on the graphite anode, while the cathode structure stays largely intact.
Thermal behaviour
LFP's olivine cathode holds its oxygen tightly, so thermal runaway typically starts at higher temperatures than nickel-rich cells and releases noticeably less heat. It is not inert: a failing LFP cell still vents flammable electrolyte vapour and hydrogen, and large prismatic cans store a lot of energy in one place.
Handling LFP Prismatic
Collecting a Citroen eC3 pack
29.2 kWh, 10 modules, about 216 kg — this is how the Stuttgart, Germany 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
Stuttgart, Germany site notes
- Engineering packs should come with architecture information.
- Suppliers can book recurring collections for returns.
- Damaged packs need ADR-compliant packaging.
- Send a serial list with each delivery.
What this pack yields
lithium
2.17 kg
nickel
0 kg
cobalt
0 kg
manganese
0 kg
copper
6.55 kg
aluminium
7.82 kg
Refining-route estimate at 80% SOH. Measured module health on the bench sets the final split.
Rules in Germany
EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and national implementing law
Regulator: Umweltbundesamt (UBA) with registration through stiftung ear
The works operates under German environmental permitting and battery law aligned with the EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. Transport follows ADR rules for dangerous goods, including the special provisions for damaged or defective lithium batteries.
Citroen eC3 in Stuttgart, Germany: common questions
Can I drop off a Citroen eC3 battery at Stuttgart, Germany?
Stuttgart, Germany is a cell grading & diagnostics and does not accept whole packs from customers. Book a collection and the pack enters the network at Dubai, UAE, 4,759 km away.
What happens to Citroen eC3 modules after Stuttgart, Germany?
Collected via Dubai, UAE, then Module grading at Stuttgart, Germany, then Second life at Zwickau, Saxony, then Refined at Lyon, France. At 80% SOH roughly 56% of the pack goes to second life and the rest is refined.
How should a Citroen eC3 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 Citroen eC3 recycling in Germany?
EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and national implementing law, overseen by Umweltbundesamt (UBA) with registration through stiftung ear. Road transport follows ADR, and shipments out of Germany fall under the EU Waste Shipment Regulation.
Cities collected by Stuttgart, Germany
Citroen eC3 at other sites
Retiring Citroen eC3 packs near Stuttgart, Germany?
Share pack counts and condition. The despatch desk confirms a collection window within one working day and sends the right packaging.