Insight 09: The Importance of Coherent Regulatory and Policy Strategies for the Recycling of EV Batteries
Summary
The move to electric vehicles (EVs) has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution. However, the transition also brings associated environmental challenges with the need for efficient recycling systems to tackle the large numbers of EV lithium-ion batteries reaching end-of-life. Unless this waste flow is managed, some of the gains of the transition to EVs will be lost. Effective waste management infrastructure and a supportive regulatory framework will be necessary to realise the full benefits of a decarbonised transport sector.
Focus of the Insight
This Faraday Insight considers the supporting regulatory provisions for end-of-life recycling to review present provision and recommends a high level regulatory and policy framework that will help manage lithium-ion batteries at the end of their life.
Conclusion
The Insight outlines the scale of the anticipated challenge to recycling and re-use of lithium-ion batteries and the high-level regulatory and policy framework required to help manage the issues. It makes the case for regulatory policy that supports lithium-ion battery recycling efficiencies and safe development of second-life applications. Policy and regulation need to keep pace with emerging technologies in the transition to EV mobility.
The current cost and complexities of lithium-ion battery recycling mean that early development of the regulatory and policy framework is crucial to driving innovation and industrial engagement to build an efficient circular economy in the UK. Regulatory changes will help facilitate the sustainable management of spent EV batteries, and thus help to achieve the circular economy goals of UK industrial policy. Appropriate regulations are a necessary step that will also help utilise the component parts of lithium-ion batteries in an efficient and profitable manner as part of a move towards a green, circular economy that will deliver benefit to the UK.