As electric vehicle (EV) policies are implemented around the country, and sales continue to rise, a question many ask is if vehicle batteries are recycled.
Yes, EV battery recycling is happening in facilities around the United States. The materials recovered, including cobalt, nickel, lithium, and manganese, can be used in the manufacturing of new batteries. While this recycling market is growing, there is still no federal or state law or policy that requires it – an obligation that could ensure higher recycling rates and increased efficiency.
California is taking steps to change that.
In 2019, the state convened a group of experts and stakeholders – thanks to Assembly Bill 2832 – to develop policy recommendations that would increase EV battery recycling. That stakeholder group informed a recently released report containing policy recommendations for…