China to put onus for recycling batteries on EV manufacturers

China will make electric vehicle manufacturers responsible for setting up facilities for collecting and recycling used batteries, as part of its efforts to tackle mounting waste in the sector under new rules published on Monday, reports Reuters.

China, which is one of the biggest electric vehicle market globally, it was the biggest market in terms of volume, with 227,000 EVs sold till September, 2017. Interestingly, six of the top 10 electric vehicle brands in key automotive markets through September 2017 were based in China. It is also expected that if the Chinese industry is able to produce EVs that are attractive to global consumers and are appropriately priced, the country’s car industry could certainly increase its share of the global market.

The country began promoting electric cars in 2009. The country aims to become a dominant global manufacturer of EVs in its bid to reduce vehicle emissions, boost energy security and promote high-technology industries.

The article states that with lithium battery production already up by half in 2017 and the waste set to hit as much as 170,000 tonnes this year, the government is racing to improve its recycling capabilities and stamp out what could become a growing source of pollution.

It further states that China’s industry ministry has issued ‘interim’ rules on Monday that hold carmakers responsible for the recovery of new energy vehicle batteries and require them to set up recycling channels and service outlets where old batteries can be collected, stored and transferred to specialist recyclers.

Additionally, the carmakers must also establish a maintenance service network allowing members of the public to repair or exchange their old batteries conveniently, the ministry said. These measures aimed at spurring good practice among consumers, including subsidies or battery repurchase pacts, should also be adopted, the notice said.

Together with battery makers and their sales units, the vehicle manufacturer must also set up a ‘traceability’ system that will enable identification of owners of discarded batteries. The battery makers will also be encouraged to adopt standardised and easily dismantled product designs, which will help automate the recycling process. They must also provide technical training for car makers to store and dismantle old batteries.