China Moves to Strengthen Oversight of EV Battery Recycling as Retired Volumes Rise

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has called for stronger legal and regulatory measures to govern the recycling of power batteries from new energy vehicles (NEVs), as growing numbers of batteries reach the end of their service life.

Speaking at a meeting on NEV battery recycling, the ministry emphasized the need to crack down on illegal activities throughout the battery recovery chain. Authorities were instructed to investigate and penalize practices such as unauthorized disposal of retired batteries, the manufacture of substandard products using recovered battery materials, failures in battery traceability reporting, environmentally harmful dismantling operations, and unlicensed recycling activities.

China’s rapidly expanding NEV fleet is expected to generate a significant wave of end-of-life batteries in the coming years. According to MIIT, the annual volume of retired power batteries is projected to exceed 1 million metric tons by 2030, increasing pressure on the country's recycling infrastructure and regulatory framework.

The ministry said the industry must accelerate the development of a comprehensive battery recycling system capable of handling rising volumes while ensuring environmental compliance and resource recovery.

As part of this effort, China plans to expand the use of digital technologies to track battery movements throughout their lifecycle. Enhanced monitoring systems are expected to improve transparency across the supply chain and help ensure that manufacturers, recyclers and other stakeholders fulfill their responsibilities under existing regulations.

MIIT also called for closer cooperation among industry associations, battery producers, automakers, recyclers and research institutions. The ministry said collaboration will be necessary to advance recycling technologies, improve processing equipment, develop new business models and support the long-term growth of China's battery recycling sector.

The push for stronger oversight comes as China seeks to secure critical battery materials, reduce environmental risks associated with improper disposal, and support the circular economy goals underpinning its energy transition strategy.

Source: CGTN

SUNSHINE Spotlight: China is tightening oversight of EV battery recycling as annual volumes of retired power batteries are expected to surpass 1 million metric tons by 2030.