The India & EU Launch EV Battery Recycling Initiative marks a major step towards building a sustainable electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem and strengthening the circular economy. India and the European Union have jointly announced a €15.2 million (approximately ₹169 crore) initiative under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 to enhance EV battery recycling capabilities. The collaboration is designed to improve resource security, reduce dependence on imported critical minerals, and accelerate the transition to clean mobility.
A Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Mobility
The India & EU Launch EV Battery Recycling Initiative reflects the growing strategic partnership between India and the European Union in the field of green technologies. Speaking at the launch, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, described the programme as a pivotal milestone in India-EU relations. He noted that with India’s electric vehicle market expanding rapidly, developing a strong domestic battery recycling ecosystem is essential for ensuring long-term resource security while meeting environmental and climate commitments.
European Union Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin highlighted that batteries are central to the global green transition. He stated that the partnership aims to transform innovative research into commercially viable technologies that can be deployed at an industrial scale.
Third Joint Call for EV Battery Recycling Proposals
As part of the initiative, both partners have launched the third coordinated call for proposals dedicated to the recycling of electric vehicle batteries. The programme seeks to secure valuable raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, graphite, and other battery components, helping reduce reliance on imported resources while promoting a circular economy.
Experts estimate that India could generate nearly 128 GWh of recyclable EV battery capacity by 2030. Through advanced recycling, used batteries can become a domestic “virtual mine,” enabling the recovery and reuse of valuable materials for future battery production.
Advanced Technologies and Innovation at the Core
The programme will focus on developing next-generation battery recycling technologies with emphasis on:
- High-efficiency recovery of lithium and cathode active materials.
- Flexible recycling systems capable of processing multiple battery chemistries.
- Safe, digitized collection and tracking systems that integrate the informal recycling sector.
- Advanced diagnostics to assess battery health for second-life applications.
- Pilot-scale demonstrations to validate innovative recycling processes under real-world conditions.
These technological advancements are expected to improve recycling efficiency while making EV battery waste management safer and more sustainable.
Funding, Pilot Facility and Future Impact
Funding for the India & EU Launch EV Battery Recycling Initiative will be shared between the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme and India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries. A major outcome of the collaboration will be the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot facility in India, where advanced recycling technologies will undergo real-world testing and industrial validation, targeting Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 7–8.
The facility will bring together researchers, industries, startups, and technology developers to accelerate commercial deployment. By strengthening battery recycling infrastructure and recovering critical minerals domestically, the India & EU Launch EV Battery Recycling Initiative is expected to support India’s clean energy ambitions, enhance supply chain resilience, and create a more sustainable electric mobility ecosystem for the future.
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