Structural batteries have been touted by many experts as a way to decrease electric vehicle weight, an application where every ounce is critical. Incorporating large masses like engines and batteries into the vehicle structure does reduce weight, but it makes it difficult or impossible to cost-effectively replace those units when they fail. If the economic and business model supports disposal of the entire vehicle, it’s a sensible weight and cost reduction strategy. But the environmental costs may be bigger than simple disposal of end-of-life EVs. 

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