How the Sunshine State is Building a Circular Economy with Batteries
With EV adoption increasing year on year, the desire for salvaged EV batteries has naturally risen with it. Over the past few years a new wave of buyers has emerged in the second hand market, specifically targeting written-off electric vehicles (EV) for their batteries. The opportunity for renewal and reuse, combined with Australia's shift toward sustainability, has seen a boom in battery demand due to their electric vehicle and energy storage applications.
Queensland is leading the charge on this front, with battery recycling taking a hold in the Sunshine State. Seen as a vital step toward building the foundations of a circular economy, battery reuse offers an alternative to securing material supply chains in the decades to come. Read on to learn why Queensland is geared up to become Australia’s hub for renewable energy.
How Queensland is Embracing Battery Reuse
As the world decarbonises, Queensland has focused on delivering clean economy jobs in battery technologies and manufacturing. Though the state is known for its commitment to adopting eco-friendly initiatives, the Sunshine State turbocharged their push to be Australia's green powerhouse when announcing their $570 million investment into a significant battery reuse strategy.
Debuting in February 2024, the strategy marked a concerned effort by the state to recognise the potential of second hand batteries and has led to the adoption of a variety of schemes since. The five-year action plan is part of the state's broader plan to become a globally competitive investment destination.
Since then, initiatives such as the Cheaper Home Batteries Program have encouraged Australian households and small businesses to add battery storage to their rooftop solar systems. As a result, the high upfront cost of batteries is no longer an obstacle for Queensland residents, making batteries more accessible to more households and businesses.
Within a month of its introduction from 1 July, over 1,700 Queenslanders were reported to have used the federal rebate to install a battery. Now, one in 24 households have a battery connected to the solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. These batteries are multi-purpose, and have the capacity for storing solar energy for grid stability and helping households reduce bills, avoid blackouts and lower emissions.
Queensland's Electric Future
Success in implementing the battery reuse strategy will allow Queensland to position itself as a reliable participant in global battery value chains and, crucially, an adopter of low future energy costs from renewable energy. In addition, the state's proximity to Asia and emphasis on strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials gives it the foundations to connect its investment to the world market.
The state's established world class critical minerals resources and mining expertise means it is well-positioned to become a leader in the battery reuse space. Not only does Queensland hold some of the world's largest vanadium deposits (vital in producing Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries), it has committed to investing $10 million into an Australian-first commercial-scale vanadium electrolyte facility in Townsville.
Though EVs are commanding the most battery demand, as of 2025 ongrid stationary storage has become the fastest growing segment within the battery market with 37% annual growth across the decade. Ultimately, wherever they are utilised, repurposing used EV batteries into new stationary storage systems ensures that valuable resources remain in circulation far beyond their first application. As Queensland strives for an electric future and energy independence, it is anticipated the rest of the country will follow suit.
With demand for used EVs on the rise and Australia's electrified fleet rapidly expanding, Pickles' reputation for transparency, innovation and trust in the auction industry will be important going forward as sustainability reshapes how we commute with EVs and understand EV use. Be sure to explore Pickles' wide range of EVs, or visit our website to browse a selection of vehicles, machinery, industrial equipment and more.
06 Feb