Recycling electric car batteries: the future in Europe

The recycling of electric car batteries is presented as one of the most effective solutions to support the transition towards a greener and more responsible mobility. In Europe, the growth of electric cars is driven by the ambitious goals of the European Green Deal and by decarbonization policies, which aim for climate neutrality by 2050.

According to a study by Transport & Environment (T&E), by 2030, the recycling of batteries could cover up to 25% of the continent's cobalt demand, helping to reduce dependence on imports of critical raw materials and to consolidate a more circular and efficient system.

Why recycling electric car batteries is essential

Strategic role of batteries

The batteries represent the technological heart of electric cars. They determine range, performance, and overall sustainability. However, battery production requires large amounts of cobalt, lithium, and nickel, often extracted in distant countries with high environmental and social costs.

The limits of virgin raw materials

The increase in demand for electric vehicles in Europe risks translating into an ever-increasing consumption of natural resources. The T&E study highlights how, without an efficient recovery and recycling system, Europe will continue to depend on external suppliers, exposing itself to risks related to geopolitical instability and market volatility.

Recycling electric car batteries: numbers and prospects in Europe

According to T&E's projections, by 2030, the recycling of batteries and production waste could:

• Cover 25% of the European cobalt demand.

• Provide up to 14% of the lithium, 16% of the nickel, and 17% of the manganese required by the European market.

• Generate new job opportunities, with the creation of skilled jobs and the birth of a European recycling industry.

• Stimulate technological innovation and research, promoting the development of increasingly efficient and sustainable plants.

Economic and environmental benefits of recycling

The recovery of critical metals through battery recycling offers numerous benefits:

• Reduction of CO₂ emissions related to the extraction and transportation of raw materials.

• Significant economic savings for European producers.

• Greater competitiveness of the European automotive industry, thanks to a more secure and sustainable supply chain.

• Contribution to climate neutrality goals and to the circular economy strategy.

The challenges of recycling electric car batteries

Infrastructure and technologies to be enhanced

Recycling electric car batteries requires:

• Advanced plants for the safe disassembly of end-of-life batteries.

• Technologies to separate and recover metals in pure form, ensuring high-quality standards.

• Safe management systems for critical components, reducing environmental risks.

Regulations and incentives

To accelerate the development of recycling, Europe must:

• Define minimum standards and quality requirements for recycled materials, through harmonized regulations at the community level.

• Provide economic and financial incentives, promoting the establishment of new plants and supporting technological research.

• Promote partnerships between battery manufacturers, car manufacturers, and recycling operators to create an integrated and resilient ecosystem.

The strategic advantages for Europe

Greater independence and security

Recycling reduces the need to import raw materials from non-EU countries, ensuring:

• Greater security for the European supply chain.

• Less exposure to geopolitical risks and fluctuations in the global market.

Circular economy and sustainable development

Recycling represents a pillar of the circular economy, capable of:

• Extending the useful life of resources, turning waste into new opportunities.

• Contribute to the decarbonization of the transport sector and to European climate goals.

Employment opportunities and competitiveness

The creation of a European recycling industry:

• Generates new skilled jobs, stimulating employment and the local economy.

• Strengthens the competitiveness of European companies in the electric mobility sector.

The future of electric car battery recycling in Europe

The recycling of electric car batteries represents a fundamental lever for cleaner, safer, and independent mobility. The projections of Transport & Environment confirm how this practice is set to become a cornerstone of the European economy, reducing dependence on imports and contributing to a more resilient and sustainable energy transition.