Norwegian EV Importers Launch National Company for Battery Collection and Recycling

According to an announcement from the Norwegian Association of Vehicle Importers (Bilimportørenes Landsforening, BIL), electric vehicle (EV) importers in Norway have jointly established Autoretur Battery Recycling (ABR), a new company dedicated to the return and recycling of high-energy batteries from EVs. The initiative aims to create a nationwide, coordinated system to handle the rapidly growing volume of used batteries, with operations set to begin on 1 November 2025.

BIL stated that ABR—created through Autoretur AS—has recently received approval from the Norwegian Environment Agency to operate as an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) organisation. Under Norwegian regulations, all vehicle importers must be part of an approved EPR scheme to ensure that vehicles are dismantled and processed in an environmentally sound manner at the end of their life cycle. For EVs, batteries require special handling due to fire risk, environmental hazards, and the potential to recover valuable metals for reuse.

“With the approval in place, we can now offer a complete and safe solution for the collection, handling, and treatment of high-energy batteries. This is the circular economy in practice,” said Erik Andresen, CEO of ABR, in a statement.

Industry projections cited by BIL indicate that the number of discarded EV batteries will rise sharply in the coming years—from around 50,000 units annually by 2030 to over 100,000 units by 2035. Andresen stressed that this trend makes it “absolutely crucial” to establish a robust system for safe and efficient collection and processing.

ABR will take over mandatory reporting to the Norwegian Environment Agency, ensuring full compliance with collection, traceability, and treatment regulations. The company will also leverage Autoretur’s existing nationwide logistics network to transport and process batteries efficiently, reducing operational emissions while maintaining safety standards.

According to Harald J. Andersen, CEO of BIL, the new company will offer car importers a “cost-effective, regulatory-compliant, and sustainable solution” that meets both legal obligations and customer expectations for environmental responsibility.

Source: BIL