India’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum, but a parallel crisis is surfacing—what to do with the flood of used lithium-ion batteries expected to hit by the end of the decade.
With the government targeting 30% EV penetration by 2030, the country may have to recycle up to 1.2 million EV batteries annually by then, rising to over 14 million per year by 2040. Lithium-ion batteries, which typically last five to ten years, are central to EVs but also pose significant environmental and geopolitical challenges. These batteries contain critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel—elements that are both finite and hazardous. Without proper disposal, they risk contaminating soil and water, creating long-term health and ecological hazards. Meanwhile, most of these materials are imported, making the country vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. Recycling presents a promising pathway. Recovering valuable minerals from spent batteries could reduce India’s dependency on imports, lower carbon emissions, and prevent toxic waste. However, less than 5% of lithium-ion batteries in India are currently recycled through formal channels. The sector remains largely informal and under-regulated, with inadequate collection systems and limited infrastructure.
Experts argue that India must move swiftly to scale its battery recycling capabilities. Strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance is one key step. It would mandate manufacturers and importers to manage the full life cycle of EV batteries. In parallel, investments are needed to develop a national collection network and modern recycling plants capable of handling growing volumes. Public engagement is also vital. Without citizen awareness of safe disposal methods, even robust infrastructure will falter. Meanwhile, advances in recycling technologies—especially those that are energy-efficient and cost-effective—could make large-scale recycling more viable. International collaboration offers further promise. The European Union has introduced strong battery recycling frameworks, and India’s ongoing partnership under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council could accelerate innovation, funding, and regulatory alignment in this space. With India’s lithium-ion battery market expected to reach 260 GWh by 2030, the scale of the challenge is unprecedented. Building a circular battery economy is not just an environmental imperative—it’s a strategic opportunity to lead in clean technology, secure critical raw materials, and create green jobs.
As India races toward a cleaner transport future, battery recycling must become a central pillar of its EV strategy. The success of the EV revolution may ultimately depend not just on how vehicles are built, but on how their batteries are reborn.
