California lawmakers passed a bill just before adjourning that would lay the framework for an electric vehicle recycling program.
Under the bill, electric vehicle battery suppliers are required to ensure the responsible end-of-life management of a battery; report specified information about the batteries to the Department of Toxic Substances Control; and fund the costs of the battery collection. The department is required to adopt regulations to implement the program by July 2028.
“While we continue to build out the EV marketplace, we need provisions in place that ensure an efficient use of capital and valuable materials, all the while protecting our environment from toxic waste,” Sen. Ben Allen (D) said in a statement. “Appropriately managing used EV batteries will be a critical piece to this puzzle, so I’m thankful for my colleagues’ support of this effort that will build out this needed framework.”
New Jersey was the first state to enact an electric vehicle battery recycling program in January. Both measures are extended producer responsibility bills, which put on producers the onus of end-of-life management of a product.
“If California’s electric vehicle battery bill is signed into law by Governor Newson, other states will likely consider adding EVs to their EPR bills currently covering small portable batteries and those used in bicycles and other e-mobility products,” said Scott Cassel, CEO and founder of the Product Stewardship Institute, which advises states on extended producer responsibility legislation. “These laws are desperately needed to prevent catastrophic lithium-ion battery fires and recover critical minerals that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
As more electric vehicles are sold, the management of their used batteries will become increasingly important for the environment.
California has the largest electric vehicle market in the nation. The California Energy Commission recently reported that more than one-third of zero-emission vehicles sold in the U.S. were sold in California.
“The clean car revolution is upon us,” Allen said. “Without systems in place to guide our handling of these used batteries, inefficiencies will remain that obstruct our ability to maximize the use of these batteries, leverage important federal funding, and protect our environment. I’m grateful for the buy-in from vehicle manufacturers like Ford Motor which provides the needed cooperation for a successful implementation.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the bill.