The recycling efficiency of Li-ion EV batteries according to the European Commission regulation, and the relation with the end-of-life vehicles directive recycling rate

In Europe, batteries from electric vehicles are subject to the EC Directive 2006/66/EC (Batteries Directive). This Directive regulates the end-of-life management and sets targets on the recycling efficiency. The concept of battery recycling efficiency goes beyond the recycling target of the End-of-Life Vehicles directive. The paper describes the meaning of the recycling efficiency and illustrates how it is calculated in the case of Li-ion battery recycling according to the Umicore battery recycling process.

1 Introduction

In the European Union, the end of life management of batteries is regulated by EC Directive 2006/66/EC [1], further referred to as the Batteries Directive (BD). The main objective of the BD is ‘to minimise the negative impact of batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators on the environment’, including a contribution to the EU resource efficiency policy (explained in the official Q&A [2]). It is anticipated that the minimum ‘recycling efficiency’ (RE) as specified in the BD, would guarantee the environmental and resource efficiency objectives.