The article discusses the topic of high-voltage lithium-ion (Liion) batteries (LIB), which have become a key component in electric and/or hybrid vehicles due to their performance, reliability and long life. Due to the increasing use of these batteries, the need for efficient management of them at the end of their life cycle is also increasing, which opens up technical, environmental and legislative challenges. The purpose of the article is to comprehensively analyze the possibility of reuse, dismantling and recycling of high-voltage LIBs from electric and/or hybrid vehicles and to investigate the impact of the legislative framework on their treatment. A comparison of different methods of recycling high-voltage LIBs (direct, pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods), an analysis of the possibility of reuse (second-life) and a review of industrial practices are presented. It was found that the reuse of batteries allows for a significant extension of their life cycle and a reduction in the environmental footprint, while direct recycling represents the most sustainable solution, but is still technologically under development. In addition to the technological challenges, legislative issues were also highlighted, particularly the differences in how European legislation is implemented across EU member states. The paper thus combines theoretical analysis, technological insights and the legislative framework into a comprehensive treatment of the problem.
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