Barriers, enablers and challenges to the electric vehicle: Lithium-ion battery recycling policy in India

Abstract

The Electric vehicle (EV) industry started to set its footprint in India and has been growing after government support through FAME policy introduction in the year 2015. With EVs, lithium-ion Battery management became a matter of concern both due to its high cost; hence the focus is on battery cost reduction and recycling. The decline in the price of Li-ion batteries has resulted in the mass adoption in various applications, from consumer portable electronic devices to emobility and space applications. However, with the varied usage and commercialization, the LIB recycling industry has not yet progressed, as there is no formal support provided to the recycling industry. Still, the informal sector is involved in battery recycling (Lead-acid), where they are recycled upon reaching End of life. As, the informal sector is not equipped with dealing with LIB Recycling, and there is a need for a technical recycling infrastructure for managing this e-waste hence this policy paper provides a framework on it. As per the study conducted by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, only 20% of the total generated e-waste (in 2016) got recycled through scientific procedures. The remaining e-waste dumping is Improperly treated creating human health risks. Also, it is contributing to the economic loss to the nation as a missed opportunity for resource conservation. It is further estimated that India requires around 200,000 tons of lithium hydroxide by 2030 to meet its growing requirements through import the 12 critical raw materials. This policy research paper seeks to highlight the risks and opportunities that existed for LIB recycling. It is therefore required to do a focused study to identify the challenges associated with the LIB recycling sector and identify the opportunity for recovering the waste for reuse as raw material. The Government is required to act as a catalyst to extract value from waste and in realizing this opportunity for bringing up a new industry, which in turn creates a safe working environment and new jobs in the informal sector in India. LIB waste recycling will result in creating a sustainable ecosystem for circular economy-based waste management in India. By combining the learning from the literature review and discussion with multiple stakeholders, the identified parameters can help to support the domestic LIB recycling industry in India.