Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that electric vehicles are recyclable at the end of their use.

To maximise the opportunities of a transition to zero emission vehicles, the UK Government is keen to create a circular economy for all electric vehicles (EVs). That is why we are supporting the innovation, infrastructure, and regulatory environment for a UK EV recycling industry. The Government recognises that investing in EV research, production and end-of-life facilities could bring local and regional, as well as national, economic benefits.

The Government has committed £318 million to the Faraday Battery Challenge. This funding supports the research, development and scale-up of world-leading battery technology in the UK. One of its eight aims is to increase the recyclability of battery packs from between 10%-50% today, to 95% by 2035.

The 2009 Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations obligates battery producers to take back EV batteries free-of-charge and ensure they are treated at permitted facilities. DEFRA are currently reviewing this legislation and considering the changes needed to provide an appropriate framework for increasing numbers of EV batteries. They plan to publish a consultation in the first half of 2022.