Why is it in the news?

• The European Union (EU) and India launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) for Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Recycling startups as part of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) initiative.

 More about the news

• The TTC was first announced in 2022 by the European Commission and India, and was established in 2023 as a pivotal forum for deepening the strategic partnership on trade and technology.
• The aim of the India-EU initiative for EV startups is to foster cooperation between European and Indian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and startups in the clean and green technology sector.
• EV battery recycling holds significant importance due to its ability to recover non-renewable materials like lithium, nickel, and zinc, thereby promoting environmental protection through waste minimization and reducing the cost of new batteries by promoting circular economy principles.
• India has set ambitious targets to achieve a battery recovery rate of 90% by 2026-27 under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. The battery recycling market in India is expected to reach $300 billion during 2017–2030.

Issues and Concerns

• Despite its importance, EV battery recycling in India faces several challenges, including the lack of battery disposal and recycling programs run by authorized agencies.
• Around 90% of used batteries in India are either processed by the unorganized sector or end up in landfills.
• Other challenges include the lack of standardized processes and infrastructure, the complexity of battery chemistry, which poses safety concerns, and the high recycling cost, which impacts the economic viability of recycling units.