As the world shifts toward more eco-friendly solutions, electric vehicles (EVs) have gained great popularity. With the rapid rise in electric vehicles, there’s also a growing requirement for electric car removal and careful disposal at the end of their life.
But how does one differentiate electric car removal from traditional car removal? The procedure involves more than just a simple tow; it needs specialised knowledge, equipment, and handling for the unique parts of electric cars.
In this blog, we’ll learn about the key differences between electric car removal and the removal of regular, normal cars and scrap vehicles, and why electric car wrecking is a whole different game than the traditional one.
Electric Vehicles vs. Gasoline Cars
| Electric Cars | Gasoline Cars | |
| Battery | Critical focuses on the safe removal and recycling of lithium-ion batteries. EV batteries are larger in size and have harmful substances such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which need specialised handling and recycling processes to avoid environmental damage. | No special handling is required for standard batteries such as lead-acid, which are commonly found in normal vehicles. These are comparatively small, and easier to recycle during the car wrecking process. |
| Engine/Motor | Electric cars are powered by electric motors that have less moving parts, making them easier to recycle. The motors have valuable metals like copper and aluminium, which could be recovered. | Traditional vehicles rely on internal combustion engines (ICE), made up of numerous complex parts. These engines are dismantled for spare parts or scrapped for their metal content, making the recycling process more labour-intensive. |
| Complex Dismantling | Electric junk cars have complex electrical systems and high-voltage parts like electric motors, and auxiliary batteries that need careful disassembly by trained professionals. Incorrect handling can pose serious safety risks, such as electric shocks. | Less complex and more straightforward dismantling process. Regular junk cars are mostly mechanical with common fuel systems, making them easier to tear apart. |
| Transmission | Electric vehicles use a simplified transmission system, a single-speed gearbox, which needs less maintenance. However, these specialised parts can be challenging to repurpose for other uses. | Traditional junk cars feature multi-speed gearboxes with many complex parts. These can be salvaged, refurbished, and resold if they are in good condition, which can give additional value during the recycling process. |
| Fuel and Exhaust System | Electric cars do not have fuel tanks, fuel lines, or exhaust systems. This absence means there is no need to drain harmful liquids before disposal, making the process cleaner. | Normal cars include fuel tanks, fuel lines, and exhaust systems. These require draining of petrol, engine oil, and other fluids to prevent environmental impact. However, parts like catalytic converters have valuable metals and can be precious when recycled. |
| Catalytic Converter Handling | Electric cars do not have catalytic converters because they do not produce exhaust emissions. Therefore, EVs lack this part altogether, simplifying their removal process. | Normal cars usually have catalytic converters made of valuable metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These are highly sought after for recycling and might fetch a good price, adding to the junk car’s value. |
| Overall weight | Heavier due to large battery packs and reinforced chassis to support the battery weight. EVs can weigh between 1,500 kg to 2,500 kg based on the model. | Lighter compared to electric cars, as they have smaller batteries and a simpler build. The average weight ranges from 1,200 kg to 1,800 kg, based on the model and fuel type. |
| Notice of Disposal | The owner needs to submit a notice of disposal to inform the local authorities about the transfer or electric car removal. However, because of the rise of EVs, some regions might have updated forms or additional fields particular to electric cars. | Submitting a notice of disposal is compulsory for Regular junk cars to inform the authorities about the change of ownership or disposal. The process is well-established and straightforward, with no special requirements based on fuel type. |
| Environmental Impact | Electric car disposal must make sure that no harmful materials from batteries leak into the environment. Proper disposal can prevent soil and water contamination. | Relatively lower environmental sensitivity, as normal vehicles mainly have mechanical parts that are easier to recycle, such as steel and aluminium. However, fuel and oil need proper disposal to avoid contamination. |
| Removal Value | Electric car removal needs advanced equipment and skilled labour to safely remove high-voltage batteries which adds to the overall cost of removal services. | Lower removal cost as gasoline cars are easier and cheaper to handle as they don’t have high-voltage systems, making the car wrecking process quicker and more cost-effective. |
| Carbon Footprint | They have the potential for a lower carbon footprint if the electric vehicle is recycled efficiently. Proper disposal of EVs might reduce overall emissions and promote the circular economy by reusing valuable substances. | Higher carbon footprint because of the emissions from dismantling and processing normal cars that run on fossil fuels. However, recycling scrap metal does save some energy. |
Conclusion
Electric car removal differs majorly from traditional car removal because of the complexity of the car’s parts, especially the electric car’s battery. The car wrecking industry has adapted to this shift, and specialised processes have been developed to make sure that electric vehicles are safely removed, their batteries are responsibly recycled, and their precious parts are repurposed.
Whether you’re dealing with an old scrap car or an electric junk car, it’s essential to opt for a reputable car removal and electric car wrecking service that understands the unique challenges of handling and disposing of these cars.
By doing so, you’ll make sure that your car is removed safely, legally, and in an environmentally responsible way.