Ola Electric S1 X+ battery recycling in Rotterdam, South Holland
Rotterdam, South Holland does not take whole packs. It receives black mass made from Ola Electric S1 X+ modules that failed grading, and turns it into battery-grade salts.
Pack value at 80% SOH
112 USD
Hybrid Split
Second-life share
56%
At 80% SOH
Site capacity
30,000 TPA
Hydrometallurgical Refinery
Cities served
2
From Rotterdam, South Holland
Where a Ola Electric S1 X+ pack goes from Rotterdam, South Holland
- 1
Collected via Dubai, UAE
Whole packs enter the network at Dubai — Jebel Ali Logistics Yard, 5,174 km away, where they are weighed and de-energised.
- 2
Graded at Birmingham, England
Modules travel 439 km to Birmingham — West Midlands Grading Works for capacity, resistance and impedance testing across all 2 modules.
- 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 (572 km). Excellent — long calendar life makes LFP the preferred feedstock for stationary BESS repurposing.
- 4
Refining at Rotterdam, South Holland
Black mass from failed modules is leached and refined here into battery-grade lithium salts.
| Stage | Facility | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest intake yard | Dubai — Jebel Ali Logistics Yard | 5,174 km |
| Nearest grading bench | Birmingham — West Midlands Grading Works | 439 km |
| Nearest second-life works | Zwickau — Saxony Second-Life Works | 572 km |
Faster option
Inside the Ola Electric S1 X+ battery
The Ola Electric S1 X+ (2024) carries a 3.5 kWh LFP Prismatic (LiFePO4) pack with 2 modules at 48 V, weighing roughly 26 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 | 96.3% | A — BESS ready | USD 184 |
| Year 4 | 93.2% | A — BESS ready | USD 178 |
| Year 6 | 90.1% | A — BESS ready | USD 172 |
| Year 8 | 87% | A — BESS ready | USD 166 |
| Year 10 | 83.9% | B — Second life | USD 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 Ola Electric S1 X+ pack
3.5 kWh, 2 modules, about 26 kg — this is how the Rotterdam, South Holland team plans the job.
Removal
Removable packs are unclipped by hand; fixed packs are removed at the dealer bench with the frame supported.
Packaging
Packs travel in UN-approved steel or plastic cages with non-conductive dividers, typically dozens per cage.
Consolidation
Dealer and swap-station returns are aggregated at a single point so one collection clears many units.
Before the truck arrives
- Tape terminals and connectors on every pack
- Separate swollen or dropped packs into their own container
- Record serials in a single list per cage
- Store below 30% charge away from charging racks
Rotterdam, South Holland site notes
- Only black mass and cathode scrap are accepted.
- Cross-border shipments need prior notification where applicable.
- Bulk bags must be sealed and labelled.
- Sampling at intake determines settlement.
What this pack yields
lithium
0.26 kg
nickel
0 kg
cobalt
0 kg
manganese
0 kg
copper
0.79 kg
aluminium
0.94 kg
Refining-route estimate at 80% SOH. Measured module health on the bench sets the final split.
Rules in Netherlands
EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and the Dutch Environmental Management Act
Regulator: Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, with enforcement by ILT
The works operates under Dutch environmental permits and the EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, including recycling efficiency and material recovery targets. Cross-border waste shipments follow the EU Waste Shipment Regulation and, where relevant, Basel Convention procedures.
Ola Electric S1 X+ in Rotterdam, South Holland: common questions
Can I drop off a Ola Electric S1 X+ battery at Rotterdam, South Holland?
Rotterdam, South Holland is a hydrometallurgical refinery and does not accept whole packs from customers. Book a collection and the pack enters the network at Dubai, UAE, 5,174 km away.
What happens to Ola Electric S1 X+ modules after Rotterdam, South Holland?
Collected via Dubai, UAE, then Graded at Birmingham, England, then Second life at Zwickau, Saxony, then Refining at Rotterdam, South Holland. At 80% SOH roughly 56% of the pack goes to second life and the rest is refined.
How should a Ola Electric S1 X+ pack be prepared for pickup?
Tape terminals and connectors on every pack. Separate swollen or dropped packs into their own container. Record serials in a single list per cage. Store below 30% charge away from charging racks.
Which rules apply to Ola Electric S1 X+ recycling in Netherlands?
EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and the Dutch Environmental Management Act, overseen by Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, with enforcement by ILT. Road transport follows ADR and sea transport follows the IMDG Code, with frequent transhipment through Rotterdam.
Cities collected by Rotterdam, South Holland
Ola Electric S1 X+ at other sites
Other two-wheeler packs at Rotterdam, South Holland
Retiring Ola Electric S1 X+ packs near Rotterdam, South Holland?
Share pack counts and condition. The despatch desk confirms a collection window within one working day and sends the right packaging.