Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) battery recycling in Birmingham, England
Birmingham, England is a diagnostics site: Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) packs arrive here from intake yards for module-level capacity, resistance and impedance testing, which decides reuse or refining.
Pack value at 80% SOH
3,545 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 Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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 3 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). Moderate — structural pack bonding limits module harvesting; cell-level grading required.
- 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 Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) battery
The Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) (2022) carries a 82 kWh NMC 811 Cylindrical 4680 pack with 3 modules at 355 V, weighing roughly 418 kg. Structural tabless format requiring specialised disassembly cells. High nickel yields offset elevated processing cost.
| Service year | SOH | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | 94.2% | A — BESS ready | USD 4,607 |
| Year 4 | 89.9% | A — BESS ready | USD 4,425 |
| Year 6 | 85.6% | A — BESS ready | USD 4,162 |
| Year 8 | 81.3% | B — Second life | USD 3,674 |
| Year 10 | 77% | B — Second life | USD 3,281 |
What the chemistry means here
How it ages
Fade mechanisms mirror other NMC 811 cells. The tabless design lowers internal resistance and heat generation, which can slow resistance growth relative to older cylindrical formats.
Thermal behaviour
4680 cells carry the same high-nickel chemistry as 2170s but in a larger can with more energy per cell, so a single failing cell releases more heat. Structural packs also make it harder to isolate an individual failing cell during handling.
Handling NMC 811 (4680)
Collecting a Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) pack
82 kWh, 3 modules, about 418 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
4.49 kg
nickel
29.01 kg
cobalt
2.91 kg
manganese
3.03 kg
copper
12.26 kg
aluminium
14.08 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.
Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) in Birmingham, England: common questions
Can I drop off a Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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 Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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 Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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 Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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
Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) at other sites
Other passenger packs at Birmingham, England
Retiring Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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.