Nissan Leaf ZE1 battery recycling in Birmingham, England
Birmingham, England is a diagnostics site: Nissan Leaf ZE1 packs arrive here from intake yards for module-level capacity, resistance and impedance testing, which decides reuse or refining.
Pack value at 80% SOH
1,167 USD
Hybrid Split
Second-life share
47%
At 80% SOH
Site capacity
16,000 TPA
Cell Grading & Diagnostics
Cities served
3
From Birmingham, England
Where a Nissan Leaf ZE1 pack goes from Birmingham, England
- 1
Collected via Toronto, Ontario
Whole packs enter the network at Toronto — Ontario Recovery Campus, 5,558 km away, where they are weighed and de-energised.
- 2
Module grading at Birmingham, England
All 24 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 47% of the pack qualifies for reuse and goes to Zwickau — Saxony Second-Life Works (1,011 km). Limited — accelerated manganese dissolution caps second-life warranty terms at 36 months.
- 4
Refined at Rotterdam, South Holland
Remaining modules are shredded to black mass and refined at Rotterdam — Maasvlakte Refining Works, 439 km away.
| Stage | Facility | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest intake yard | Toronto — Ontario Recovery Campus | 5,558 km |
| Nearest second-life works | Zwickau — Saxony Second-Life Works | 1,011 km |
| Nearest refinery | Rotterdam — Maasvlakte Refining Works | 439 km |
Faster option
Inside the Nissan Leaf ZE1 battery
The Nissan Leaf ZE1 (2018) carries a 40 kWh LMO / LMO-NMC Pouch pack with 24 modules at 350 V, weighing roughly 324 kg. Legacy manganese-rich pouch packs common in early two- and three-wheeler fleets across South Asia.
| Service year | SOH | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | 95.4% | A — BESS ready | USD 1,450 |
| Year 4 | 91.1% | A — BESS ready | USD 1,394 |
| Year 6 | 86.8% | A — BESS ready | USD 1,339 |
| Year 8 | 82.5% | B — Second life | USD 1,223 |
| Year 10 | 78.2% | B — Second life | USD 1,132 |
What the chemistry means here
How it ages
LMO's weak point is manganese dissolution, which speeds up at elevated temperature and damages the anode. Packs that lived in hot climates without active cooling typically fade faster.
Thermal behaviour
Manganese spinel is more thermally stable than nickel-rich cathodes, but blended LMO-NMC pouch cells still vent flammable gas when abused, and older packs may have weaker protection electronics.
Handling LMO Pouch
Collecting a Nissan Leaf ZE1 pack
40 kWh, 24 modules, about 324 kg — this is how the Birmingham, England 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
Birmingham, England site notes
- Dismantlers should secure packs before collection.
- Fleet operators can book depot pickups.
- Development packs require architecture details.
- Damaged packs need prior declaration.
What this pack yields
lithium
2.82 kg
nickel
6.02 kg
cobalt
0.85 kg
manganese
17.59 kg
copper
11.1 kg
aluminium
12.41 kg
Refining-route estimate at 80% SOH. Measured module health on the bench sets the final split.
Rules in United Kingdom
Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009
Regulator: Environment Agency and devolved regulators, with OPSS on market placement
The works operates under Environment Agency permitting in England and the UK waste batteries regulations, which place producer responsibility obligations on those placing batteries on the market. Transport follows UK dangerous goods rules based on ADR.
Nissan Leaf ZE1 in Birmingham, England: common questions
Can I drop off a Nissan Leaf ZE1 battery at Birmingham, England?
Birmingham, England is a cell grading & diagnostics and does not accept whole packs from customers. Book a collection and the pack enters the network at Toronto, Ontario, 5,558 km away.
What happens to Nissan Leaf ZE1 modules after Birmingham, England?
Collected via Toronto, Ontario, then Module grading at Birmingham, England, then Second life at Zwickau, Saxony, then Refined at Rotterdam, South Holland. At 80% SOH roughly 47% of the pack goes to second life and the rest is refined.
How should a Nissan Leaf ZE1 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 Nissan Leaf ZE1 recycling in United Kingdom?
Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009, overseen by Environment Agency and devolved regulators, with OPSS on market placement. Road transport follows ADR through the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations, and exports need waste shipment approval.
Cities collected by Birmingham, England
Nissan Leaf ZE1 at other sites
Other passenger packs at Birmingham, England
Retiring Nissan Leaf ZE1 packs near Birmingham, England?
Share pack counts and condition. The despatch desk confirms a collection window within one working day and sends the right packaging.