Cox Automotive Reaches Major EV Battery Recycling Milestone

EV Battery Solutions recovers over 10 million pounds of black mass, keeping critical minerals in circulation.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:00pm

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Cox Automotive's EV Battery Solutions business has processed and recovered more than 10 million pounds of black mass, a material containing valuable minerals that can be refined and reused to help produce new batteries. This milestone underscores Cox Automotive's growing role in managing the full EV battery lifecycle, from safe handling and logistics to repair, remanufacturing, and end-of-life recycling.

Why it matters

As more EVs enter the used market, safe diagnostics, handling, and end-of-life pathways are essential to protect people, facilities, and surrounding communities. Circular recycling helps keep materials in productive use and supports a more sustainable battery supply chain.

The details

At Cox Automotive's battery recycling center in Oklahoma City, technicians use a patented dry recycling process to extract high-value materials for reuse, achieving up to 94% material recovery. Black mass, the dark, powder-like material produced when lithium-ion batteries are mechanically processed, contains valuable battery materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese that can be refined and reintegrated into new battery manufacturing.

  • Cox Automotive announced the milestone on March 12, 2026.

The players

Cox Automotive

The world's largest automotive services and technology provider, with a portfolio of industry-leading brands like Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Manheim.

EV Battery Solutions

Cox Automotive's business unit focused on managing the full EV battery lifecycle, from safe handling and logistics to repair, remanufacturing, and end-of-life recycling.

Brian Skalovsky

Director of battery recycling for EV Battery Solutions by Cox Automotive.

Lea Malloy

Vice president of EV Battery Solutions by Cox Automotive.

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What they’re saying

“This milestone is proof that circularity in the EV battery ecosystem is moving from concept to scale. Every pound we recover represents valuable materials kept in circulation, and a more responsible path forward as more EVs enter the used market.”

— Brian Skalovsky, Director of battery recycling for EV Battery Solutions by Cox Automotive

“This is about building the infrastructure that makes electrification work in the real world. By extending battery life through repair and remanufacturing, and responsibly recycling at the end of life, we're helping close the loop for electric mobility.”

— Lea Malloy, Vice president of EV Battery Solutions by Cox Automotive

The takeaway

Cox Automotive's milestone in EV battery recycling demonstrates the growing importance of circular economy practices in the electric vehicle industry, as more used EVs enter the market and responsible end-of-life solutions become essential to support a sustainable battery supply chain.