Nissan Leaf ZE1 battery recycling in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit — Michigan Closed-Loop Plant takes whole Nissan Leaf ZE1 packs straight from fleets, dealers and workshops. Packs are weighed, de-energised and logged here before modules move on for grading or refining.
Pack value at 80% SOH
1,167 USD
Hybrid Split
Second-life share
47%
At 80% SOH
Site capacity
40,000 TPA
Integrated Recovery Campus
Cities served
10
From Detroit, Michigan
Where a Nissan Leaf ZE1 pack goes from Detroit, Michigan
- 1
Intake at Detroit, Michigan
One pack per UN-rated pallet box, strapped and restrained, with terminals capped and coolant ports sealed. Each pack is weighed, photographed and discharged below 30% state of charge.
- 2
Graded at Atlanta, Georgia
Modules travel 961 km to Atlanta — Georgia Grading Centre for capacity, resistance and impedance testing across all 24 modules.
- 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 (6,413 km). Limited — accelerated manganese dissolution caps second-life warranty terms at 36 months.
- 4
Refined at Reno, Nevada
Remaining modules are shredded to black mass and refined at Reno — Nevada Hydrometallurgy Refinery, 3,080 km away.
| Stage | Facility | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest grading bench | Atlanta — Georgia Grading Centre | 961 km |
| Nearest second-life works | Gothenburg — Nordic Second-Life Campus | 6,413 km |
| Nearest refinery | Reno — Nevada Hydrometallurgy Refinery | 3,080 km |
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 Detroit, Michigan 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
Detroit, Michigan site notes
- Send architecture drawings or a disassembly note with prototype packs so the right procedure is prepared.
- Engineering centres can book recurring collections for validation and test waste.
- Damaged, defective or recalled units must be declared so they ship under the correct DOT provisions.
- Truck and large commercial packs need advance notice so rigging and crew are scheduled.
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 States
EPA universal waste rules, DOT hazardous materials regulations and state programmes
Regulator: EPA, DOT PHMSA and state environmental agencies
The campus operates under permits administered by Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and manages spent lithium-ion batteries under the US EPA universal waste framework where it applies. Transport follows US DOT hazardous materials regulations for lithium batteries, including the separate provisions for damaged, defective or recalled cells.
Nissan Leaf ZE1 in Detroit, Michigan: common questions
Can I drop off a Nissan Leaf ZE1 battery at Detroit, Michigan?
Yes, by appointment. Detroit — Michigan Closed-Loop Plant accepts whole Nissan Leaf ZE1 packs; book a collection or a drop-off slot so the site can prepare packaging and paperwork.
What happens to Nissan Leaf ZE1 modules after Detroit, Michigan?
Intake at Detroit, Michigan, then Graded 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 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 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.
Cities collected by Detroit, Michigan
Nissan Leaf ZE1 at other sites
Retiring Nissan Leaf ZE1 packs near Detroit, Michigan?
Share pack counts and condition. The despatch desk confirms a collection window within one working day and sends the right packaging.