How are batteries for electric vehicles transported?
Electric cars are flooding cities around the world. Predictions say that the e-vehicle market will grow by 20% per year in the coming period and that by 2030, there will be as many as 130 million such vehicles on the roads. As electric vehicles rely on lithium-ion batteries as a source of energy, the need for specialized logistics solutions in this area is constantly growing.
Why is the transport of batteries, which are one of the key factors in preventing climate change, so complex and even potentially dangerous for the environment? The reason is that lithium – if it is not shipped and stored with appropriate precautions – is highly flammable, and is therefore considered a dangerous commodity.
Service providers in the field of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles are subject to different requirements at each point in the battery life cycle: delivery of materials to production sites (under temperature control), transport of finished batteries, storage as well as return logistics services, such as recycling or disposal of batteries (including damaged or defective batteries).
When transporting batteries, your shipment first and foremost needs an accurate European Waste Code, which provides all participants in the supply chain with the information needed for safe handling. According to ADR (European regulations on the transport of dangerous goods), lithium-ion batteries belong to class 9: Miscellaneous – dangerous materials.
In road, rail and sea transport, the requirements are mostly similar. Temperature control (batteries are very sensitive to temperature and humidity), product stability (batteries must not move inside the packaging) and exposure to conductive surfaces (batteries must not have contact with each other, as well as with conductive surfaces) are the main aspects that must be considered.
Air transport is the fastest way to transport batteries for electric vehicles, and IATA has significantly tightened the rules over the past years. No stand-alone lithium battery may be shipped as cargo in a passenger aircraft. Batteries must be transported packed separately from any other cargo, and it is forbidden to transport damaged, defective or recalled batteries by air.
To ensure the safe transport of batteries, logistics service providers must consider numerous national and international regulations. We recommend choosing a freight forwarder who has guidelines on the delivery method, trained staff, and a clear understanding of ADR regulations. The right company will know exactly what to do, so you can be sure that your batteries will arrive safely.
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