Europe could cut its reliance on EV battery mineral imports by as much as 25% by 2030, thanks to recycling, according to new research from Transport and Environment (T&E). Up to 2.4 million EVs could be made from locally sourced recycled batteries and gigafactory scrap, the group says.
Recycling spent cells and production scrap could “provide 14% of the lithium, 16% of the nickel, 17% of the manganese, and a quarter (25%) of the cobalt that Europe will need for electric cars in 2030,” the study finds. What’s more, by 2040, the region could be “almost self-sufficient” in cobalt, the analysts say.
“If Europe delivers on its recycling plans, it can slash its reliance on imported critical metals. The expected volumes of locally recovered materials can enable Europe to build millions of clean electric vehicles locally,” said Julia Poliscanova, senior director for vehicles and e-mobility supply chains at T&E.
Recycling locally would also reduce the carbon footprint of sourcing lithium from Australia and refining it in China by 19%, thanks to the cleaner way Europe generates its electricity.
The researchers also find that recycling in this way would avoid the need to construct 12 new mines globally by 2040: four lithium, three nickel, four cobalt, and one manganese, reducing the potential negative impact of the mines on water, soil and biodiversity.
But for that scenario to play out, the EU Member States and the UK need to “secure recycling projects that are at risk of being cancelled.” None of these positives can come about, say T&E, if recycling capacity in the bloc is not protected and enhanced. Almost half Europe’s recycling capacity is “on hold or uncertain to go ahead” T&E said in a press release.
“Neither the EU nor the UK are ready to capture the recycling opportunity. Almost half of the planned recycling capacity is at risk due to high energy costs, a shortage of technical expertise or a lack of financial support. It’s time to start treating battery recycling like another clean tech and prioritise it in our policy and grant making,” Poliscanova added.
The group is calling for the EU and the UK to “urgently prioritise support for recycling across their policies and funding programmes. The EU’s upcoming proposal for a Circular Economy Act should support the scaling of local recycling factories while also restricting exports of battery waste and simplifying the shipment of end-of-life battery materials within Europe.”
