The EU is to introduce compulsory recycling targets for battery makers from 2030 as part of its drive to meet the ever-growing demand for essential raw materials whilst keeping within its environmental targets.
Virginijus Sinkevicius, EU commissioner for environment, oceans and fisheries. Credit: Wikimedia
Virginijus Sinkevicius, EU commissioner for environment, oceans and fisheries. Credit: European Parliament / Flickr
In an interview with FT, Virginijus Sinkevicius, EU commissioner for environment, oceans and fisheries, said that it was necessary to revise the bloc's battery directive in order to curb the use of hazardous materials and bring in "ambitious but realistic" recycling targets for battery materials with a view to creating a "sustainable batteries value chain".
“Global exponential growth in demand for batteries will lead to an equivalent increase in demand for raw materials — notably cobalt, nickel and manganese. We have to strive for sustainable production and consumption and reduce batteries carbon footprint,” Sinkevicius told FT.
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The European Commission will make a proposal later this week for the first update to the EU battery directive in more than a decade, updating the legislation to bring it up to speed with the vast improvements in a technology that is set to be a major driving force in the transition to clean transport.
Electric vehicle manufacturers in Europe, as well as those outside the EU wishing to sell their batteries in the single market, will have to adhere to stricter environmental standards in the future, said Sinkevicius.
The commissioner added that Europe was on course to become the second-largest market in the world for EVs over the coming decade.
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Under the new regulations, EV makers will be required to disclose the recycled content in their batteries in an attempt to meet mandatory targets set in 2030 and 2035.
“This is a fundamental first step in closing the loop for valuable materials contained in batteries. We’re going to aim for ambitious yet realistic targets for collection, recycling efficiencies, and the recovery of materials from waste batteries.”
Before deciding on and setting the precise targets for 2030 and 2035, the Commission will carry out a complete assessment, consulting with relevant industrial sectors such as EV manufacturers and chemicals companies.
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Responding to the accusation that further regulation will stifle clean car technology's further development in Europe, the commissioner said that the rules would give some "legal certainty" and "incentivise the investment and production capacity for sustainable batteries in Europe and beyond."
The EU has committed itself to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, a goal that will require a radical overhaul of the energy, transport and manufacturing sectors.
In her first State of the Union address in September, Commission president Ursula von der Leyen upped the ante and pushed for an increase to the 2030 emissions target to a reduction of 55%.
It is estimated that lithium - a key component of battery cells - has only a 50% recycling efficiency, and Brussels is looking to encourage a market for recycled materials, rather than mining for more raw materials.
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The new regulation will also bring in measures to extend battery life cycles by making recycling mandatory for collected waste batteries and encouraging the repurposing of batteries for a "second life".
The EU is also looking to gradually phase out non-recyclable single life batteries, such as those used to power small electrical equipment. The Commission has yet to set a date for this, however.
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