Recycling medium-format batteries to power the future of micromobility

The transition to electrified transportation isn’t just about electric vehicles—it also includes the rapid growth of micromobility solutions like e-bikes and scooters. These medium-format batteries play a critical role in urban mobility, providing accessible and sustainable transportation options. As their use expands, so does the need for responsible end-of-life battery management.  

At Redwood, we are committed to building efficient recycling pathways for batteries of all sizes, ensuring valuable materials are recovered and reused. We already partner with leading micromobility brands like Lyft, Rad Power Bikes, and Specialized to recycle their e-bike and scooter batteries. Today, we’re expanding our impact through a new partnership with Lime Micromobility, further demonstrating our ability to safely process medium-format batteries at scale. Lime is the world’s largest micromobility company, on a mission to build a future where transportation is shared, affordable and carbon-free.  

By working together, we are closing the loop on critical minerals, reducing waste, and strengthening a circular battery supply chain to support the broader transition to electrification. 

What are medium-format batteries? 

As transportation electrifies, medium-format lithium-ion batteries—such as those found in e-bikes and electric scooters—play an essential role in urban mobility. These batteries typically range in capacity from 300Wh to 1,000Wh, making them larger than those in small consumer electronics but smaller than the high-voltage battery packs used in electric vehicles. 

Their energy density and chemistry require careful handling, following strict regulations for transport, storage, and recycling. Improper disposal can pose fire hazards, contribute to environmental contamination, and waste valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. At Redwood, our recycling process ensures that more than 95% of these critical materials are recovered and reintegrated into the battery supply chain, reducing reliance on newly mined resources. 

Redwood is dedicated to increasing battery recovery rates by expanding our brand partnerships and enhancing our consumer battery collection programs. Beyond our growing network of collection opportunities, we actively collaborate with policymakers nationwide to develop comprehensive battery collection programs. These initiatives aim to provide accessible drop-off points, community collection events, and educational outreach to make recycling e-bike and scooter batteries as simple and convenient as possible. 

Scaling recovery and recycling for all battery sizes

As e-bike adoption accelerates and micromobility becomes a cornerstone of urban mobility, responsible battery recycling must remain a priority. 

Over the past five years, e-bikes have been the #1 growth driver in the bike industry, accounting for 63% of total dollar growth in bicycle sales between 2019 and 2023. (1) At the same time, shared micromobility solutions continue to gain momentum, with 64% of shared rides in 2023 taken on electric devices. (2) 

To support this shift, Redwood is building efficient and sustainable recycling pathways for small, medium, and large-format batteries by partnering directly with OEM manufacturers. By working alongside leading micromobility brands, we are setting the industry standard for responsible battery recycling while advocating for policies that prioritize safe and sustainable end-of-life solutions for lithium-ion batteries.  

For e-bike and scooter users, proper battery disposal should be straightforward and accessible. That’s why Redwood continues to collaborate with businesses, policymakers, and consumers to create convenient, safe recycling options—preventing batteries from ending up in landfills or being improperly discarded. Through these partnerships, we are ensuring that micromobility batteries remain in circulation, reinforcing a sustainable and safe transition to an electrified transportation future. 

 Sources:

(1) https://www.peopleforbikes.org/news/electric-bicycle-market-insights-2024 

(2) https://nabsa.net/2024/08/06/2023industryreport/