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Recycling the BMW i3. Yes, It Is 95 Percent Possible – Video

 Recycling is a big thing these days when scientists warn that we have passed the point of no return in terms of pollution and global warming. Reusing various materials means we are no longer wasteful and that we actually think about the future generations and their well-being.
BMW i3 recycling 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from youtube
 
These days the term is widely used but few (actually close to none) manufacturers build their cars in such a was as to allow them to be reused. BMW is doing that but with only two models: the i3 and i8.
 
The guys from BMW's Recycling and Dismantling Center put together a video showcasing how the i3 can be recycled. In case you didn't know the EV, the Germans are making is recyclable in a proportion of 95 percent. That means that only around 5 percent of the parts cannot be used after the car has served its purpose.
 
How is that possible? Well, the i3 is made of new-age materials in the first place. The cockpit is made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer entirely while the chassis is made mostly out of aluminum, both of them being recyclable.
 
Those are just two examples though. The battery, for example, after being taken out of the EV enters the so-called Second Life endeavor that aims to re-use it for various purposes. 
 
Think about Tesla's new battery for homes. The American manufacturer is offering batteries for home usage to allow its customers to become self-sufficient in terms of energy usage.
 
BMW has a similar program, but their batteries are not used inside houses but in other various projects, such as public illumination and others.
 
Getting back to the matter at hand here, you're going to see exactly how the car is taken apart in order to be recycled. The process involves setting off the pyrotechnics aboard the BMW first, in order to allow a safe disassembly operation. After that, the battery is taken out followed by the wheels, doors, and CFRP mats. The final step is shredding the CFRP and returning it to the Moses Lake plant to be rebuilt.

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