Vehicle recycling industry flourishes in Yichang
2024-01-23 18:01:17
By Ma Yuhan, Yichang International Communication Studio
Vehicle recycling is increasingly a major concern for cities around the world. Yichang, which has around 1.5 million vehicles, has accordingly developed a system for dismantling and recycling old vehicles.
At Yichang City Development Group's Vehicle Dismantling Company, discarded vehicles go through a series of steps as they are broken down into parts.
Last year, Yichang earned 37 million yuan (US$5.14 million) by recycling 19,000 tonnes of scrap steel, non-ferrous metals, plastics and rubber from 6,000 discarded vehicles.
The five major components of a motor vehicle - the engine, steering system, transmission, axles and frame - can all be recycled. And they are worth significant sums. The recycling value of these components from a mid-range vehicle can be as much as 10,000 yuan.
The recycling value of electric vehicles is even more substantial. If battery metals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel can be fully recycled, the value of an EV’s battery alone can exceed 20,000 yuan.
The relay, a core component of electric vehicles, can be directly reused if properly dismantled.
The meticulous processes used by dismantling companies not only enhance the reuse value of end-of-life vehicles, they also mean that sellers get a higher price for them and are thus more likely to trade up.
Before 2022, discarded vehicles in Yichang could be purchased for less than 300 yuan per tonne. At the end of 2023, with the development of the recycling industry, the price has climbed to 2,000 yuan.
At Yichang City Development Group's Vehicle Dismantling Company, discarded vehicles go through a series of steps as they are broken down into parts.
Last year, Yichang earned 37 million yuan (US$5.14 million) by recycling 19,000 tonnes of scrap steel, non-ferrous metals, plastics and rubber from 6,000 discarded vehicles.
The five major components of a motor vehicle - the engine, steering system, transmission, axles and frame - can all be recycled. And they are worth significant sums. The recycling value of these components from a mid-range vehicle can be as much as 10,000 yuan.
The recycling value of electric vehicles is even more substantial. If battery metals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel can be fully recycled, the value of an EV’s battery alone can exceed 20,000 yuan.
The relay, a core component of electric vehicles, can be directly reused if properly dismantled.
The meticulous processes used by dismantling companies not only enhance the reuse value of end-of-life vehicles, they also mean that sellers get a higher price for them and are thus more likely to trade up.
Before 2022, discarded vehicles in Yichang could be purchased for less than 300 yuan per tonne. At the end of 2023, with the development of the recycling industry, the price has climbed to 2,000 yuan.
