Our research addresses the growing challenge of safely recycling lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) amid increasing electric vehicle adoption. We introduce a novel methodology for real-time monitoring of both voltage and current during electrochemical discharge using NaCl solution. While traditional approaches rely solely on voltage measurements, our findings demonstrate that current measurement provides crucial additional insights into discharge efficiency, safety monitoring, and energy recovery potential. Using commercial 18650-type cylindrical LIB cells with various NaCl concentrations (5%, 10%, and 20% by weight), we recorded precise measurements via a Fluke 8842A multimeter in our external electrochemical discharge setup. Our results show that NaCl electrolyte discharges batteries to lower final voltages (0.6-0.7V), with higher concentrations leading to faster voltage decay. The maximum discharge current occurs at the beginning of the process following Butler-Volmer kinetics, with 20 wt% NaCl enabling recovery of 64.8% of battery energy during discharge. Increasing NaCl concentration from 5 wt% to 20 wt% improves energy recovery by approximately 1500 mWh, with most energy extraction occurring within the first 50 hours. We’ve applied the experimental discharge current data as input for COMSOL P2D battery models to predict voltage response based on measured electrochemical discharge currents. Electrochemical discharge using NaCl solution is confirmed as a robust method for large-scale discharge of lithium-ion batteries before recycling, though careful monitoring of discharge current is essential to avoid thermal issues. Future work will focus on scaling studies for multiple batteries and heat management in industrial applications. Our research contributes to safer and more efficient battery recycling processes by establishing monitoring protocols that enhance safety while maximizing energy recovery.