Electric Car Batteries: Disposal and Recycling

Opened the debate

Chi Onwurah highlighted the transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles, emphasising it as both a challenge and an opportunity for the UK automotive industry. She noted that transport makes up 26% of emissions and stressed the importance of increasing the number of electric vehicles in the UK. The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders expects registrations for electric vehicles to rise by 77% this year, with National Grid predicting a significant increase by 2040. Onwurah emphasised the technological innovation in batteries and the need for better planning regarding battery reuse and recycling. She raised concerns about current regulations not addressing lithium-ion batteries and the lack of facilities in the UK to recycle electric car batteries. Safety risks associated with lithium-ion battery fires were also discussed, along with the importance of a circular economy for lithium batteries.

Government Response

The Minister, Rebecca Pow, acknowledged the importance of addressing electric vehicle battery treatment and recycling. She highlighted existing regulations such as the end-of-life vehicles legislation and batteries regulation, which provide a framework for managing electric vehicle batteries at the end of their lifecycle. The limited volumes of electric vehicle batteries currently received for treatment are exported to Europe for processing. Powell noted that there is movement in the market towards establishing recycling facilities in the UK. She also mentioned the Faraday battery challenge’s role in supporting the recycling and reuse of battery components, aiming to develop a more circular economy and help meet net zero commitments. The Minister stated that she would review producer responsibility schemes for batteries and end-of-life vehicles, recognising the need for improvements as electric vehicle batteries become more prevalent. She welcomed industry engagement on these issues and expressed interest in supporting initiatives such as Newcastle University’s proposed battery safety health and environment hub.