Can battery recycling solve EV industry's growing e-waste problem?

Time of India

a day ago

This article is authored by Rajesh Gupta, Founder & Director, Recyclekaro.
India is on the cusp of an electric vehicle (EV) revolution. The government's ambitious vision to achieve 30% EV penetration by 2030 is steering the country towards a cleaner, greener transport future. Yet, as the number of EVs on Indian roads surges, a new challenge is beginning to take shape—how to responsibly manage the growing volume of end-of-life batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries
, which power EVs, typically last between five to ten years. This means that the early adopters of electric mobility in India will soon start retiring their first sets of batteries. According to industry estimates, India could face the task of recycling up to 1.2 million EV batteries per year by 2030. By 2040, this figure may climb to over 14 million annually. If not properly handled, these spent batteries risk becoming a serious environmental liability.
The urgency lies in the composition of these batteries. They contain valuable yet hazardous materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. If improperly discarded, these elements can contaminate soil and groundwater, posing threats to both human health and biodiversity. At the same time, these materials are finite and largely imported, often under complex and geopolitically sensitive supply chains. Recycling offers a compelling solution. By recovering critical minerals from used batteries, India can reduce its dependency on imports, lower its carbon footprint, and mitigate the environmental damage of improper disposal. Currently, however, the country recycles less than 5% of its lithium-ion batteries through formal channels. Most of the sector remains fragmented and unorganised, lacking the infrastructure and regulatory clarity needed to function at scale.
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To accelerate progress in this area, coordinated action across multiple fronts is essential. Policy support remains a top priority. Stronger enforcement of
Extended Producer Responsibility
(EPR) guidelines can ensure that battery manufacturers and importers take ownership of the full life cycle of their products. At the same time, the development of a countrywide
battery collection network
and high-quality recycling facilities will be crucial. Public participation is equally important. Consumers must be made aware of how and where to dispose of batteries responsibly. Without an informed citizenry, even the most sophisticated recycling systems will fall short. Finally, investment in research and development will be key. Emerging technologies can make
battery recycling
more energy-efficient and cost-effective, increasing both its scalability and accessibility.
India is not alone in facing these challenges. The European Union has already laid down ambitious plans for battery recycling and circular economy frameworks. Collaborations under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council are bringing much-needed global perspectives to our domestic efforts. These cross-border partnerships can catalyse innovation, knowledge transfer, and funding in India's nascent battery recycling industry. With the Indian lithium-ion battery market projected to reach 260 GWh by 2030, the urgency of scaling battery recycling cannot be overstated. A robust recycling ecosystem will not only support India's clean energy goals but will also enhance its strategic autonomy in critical minerals.
As we embrace the electric future, the challenge of managing battery waste must not be left behind. Recycling is not merely an environmental obligation—it is a national opportunity to lead in clean technology, secure vital resources, and create green jobs. The road to
sustainable mobility
must be circular, and battery recycling is the wheel that keeps it moving.