Introduction: As electric vehicle adoption accelerates in 2025, the industry faces a critical pivot from simple recycling to value-based repurposing. Precision grading has emerged as the technological backbone of this transition, transforming retired cells into safe, profitable second-life assets.   I. The Paradox of the New Energy Era: Battery Growth vs. Waste Surge We are currently standing at a unique intersection in the energy timeline. The global electric vehicle (EV) market continues to expand with sales volumes increasing by over 20% annually, while the large-scale energy storage sector is experiencing a simultaneous explosion in capacity. However, this green revolution hides a looming industrial paradox: the "Silver Tsunami" of retired batteries. By the end of 2025, the industry will see millions of tons of batteries reach their technical end-of-life. This creates immense environmental pressure. Improper disposal risks heavy metal leakage and electrolyte contamina...