In a major step towards sustainable mobility and clean energy cooperation, India and the European Union have officially announced the India & the EU Partnership to Launch EV Battery Recycling Initiative under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies. The joint program, valued at €15.2 million (approximately ₹169 crore), aims to strengthen electric vehicle battery recycling capabilities and secure critical raw materials for the future EV ecosystem.
Major Push for Sustainable EV Growth
The India & European Union Launch EV Battery Recycling Initiative comes at a crucial time when India’s electric vehicle market is witnessing rapid growth. With increasing adoption of EVs across the country, the need for an efficient and sustainable battery recycling ecosystem has become more important than ever.
Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, described the launch as a significant milestone in the India-EU strategic partnership. He stated that strengthening domestic recycling infrastructure is essential for ensuring resource security and meeting environmental commitments as India accelerates its transition toward clean mobility.
Focus on Advanced Recycling Technologies
The initiative will support the development of next-generation recycling technologies designed to recover valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, graphite, and nickel from used EV batteries. The program will focus on:
- High-efficiency material recovery systems
- Safe and digitized battery collection mechanisms
- Pilot-scale demonstration of innovative recycling processes
- Industrial-scale deployment of advanced recycling solutions
A key highlight of the program is the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India. This facility will help validate innovative recycling technologies under real-world conditions and encourage collaboration among researchers, startups, industries, and technology experts.
Strengthening Resource Security
Officials believe the program can help transform discarded EV batteries into a “virtual mine” for critical minerals. India’s recyclable battery capacity is expected to reach nearly 128 GWh by 2030, making battery recycling an important strategy for reducing dependence on imported raw materials.
The India & European Union Launch EV Battery Recycling Initiative also aims to accelerate the transition toward a circular economy by promoting the reuse and recovery of strategic resources.
Third Joint Call for Proposals Announced
Alongside the announcement, both partners launched the third coordinated call for proposals focused on EV battery recycling technologies. The initiative is jointly funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe program and India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries. The submission deadline for proposals has been set for September 15, 2026.
EU Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin emphasised that batteries are central to the global green transition and highlighted the importance of converting innovation into practical industrial deployment.
The India & European Union Launch EV Battery Recycling Initiative also aligns with India’s Battery Waste Management Rules 2022 and the EU Batteries Regulation, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable development and green technology cooperation.
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