BEST Magazine
9 February 2026
User beware – lithium-ion batteries may backfire with disastrous consequences
Why It Matters for ITAD
New technologies may create opportunities or challenges for equipment processing.
Frank Lev examines why lithium-ion batteries fail so catastrophically, how design and manufacturing choices influence their behaviour, and what consumers, manufacturers, and policymakers must understand to prevent the next avoidable disaster.Commercial lithium‑ion batteries (LIBs) underpin modern portable electronics and electric vehicles, offering an unmatched balance of energy density, power capability, service life and cost-effectiveness. However,…
Key Takeaways
- • User beware – lithium-ion batteries may backfire with disastrous consequences.
- • Frank Lev examines why lithium-ion batteries fail so catastrophically, how design and manufacturing choices influence their behaviour, and what consumers, manufacturers, and policymakers must understand to prevent the next avoidable disaster.Commercial lithium‑ion batteries (LIBs) underpin modern portable electronics and electric vehicles, offering an unmatched balance of energy density, power capability, service life and cost-effectiveness.
