Battery technologies are becoming deeply embedded in daily life—from consumer devices to industrial systems—and the demand for batteries, including those used in electric vehicles, bikes, and scooters, is expected to grow at a blistering pace through 2030. In response, the European Union has approved a sweeping regulatory project that will govern the design, manufacture, use, and end-of-life treatment of all batteries and cells circulating within the EU, whether produced locally or imported from abroad.
The new framework replaces the 2006 Battery Directive and shifts the emphasis toward a circular economy. In a market pivoting toward strategic importance, the rules will require a standardized passport for batteries, designed to maximize traceability and information sharing. This enables better monitoring of production and supply chains, communication of a product’s carbon footprint, and disclosure of material origins and the use of renewable inputs.
Consequently, the regulation distinguishes among different battery types—industrial and portable batteries used across manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, and energy generation; automotive and electric vehicle batteries; and light-transport batteries such as those powering electric scooters and similar devices.
Global production of critical raw materials for batteries is highly concentrated. It is projected that more than half of the world’s cobalt supply and over 60% of lithium will be dedicated to battery manufacturing. About 8% of natural graphite and 6% of nickel are also tied to battery production. These figures highlight the importance of secure, responsible sourcing and robust recycling capabilities within Europe.
The regulation sets minimum recycled content targets for key materials across industrial, automotive, and e-mobility batteries. Cobalt is mandated at 16%, lead at 85%, lithium at 6%, and nickel at 6%. A bold objective aims to recover 50% of lithium from waste by 2027 and 80% by 2031, driving a major shift toward material circularity and waste reduction.
Additionally, manufacturers will bear responsibility for financing and organizing the collection of spent batteries and for creating a network of take-back points and public awareness campaigns near end users. Collection targets are set at 63% by the end of 2027 and 73% by 2030 for batteries and portable batteries overall. For light-transport batteries, a target of 51% by 2028 and 61% by 2031 is established, reflecting the sector’s rapid expansion and the need for effective end-of-life management.
The standard will require that batteries integrated into devices be removable and replaceable by end users by the end of 2027, with the exception of batteries for light-transport vehicles, which must be replaced by an independent expert. This emphasis on accessibility supports longer product lifecycles and easier recycling, aligning with decarbonization goals and a broader shift toward emissions-free transport across the EU.
Leaders describe these measures as essential to decarbonizing transport while preserving valuable resources that can be reused rather than imported from distant regions. The initiative, championed by the EU’s ecological and energy policymakers, underscores a strategic move to reduce dependence on external suppliers and strengthen domestic recycling capabilities. The informal energy and climate discussions held in Valladolid provided a visible platform for policymakers to coordinate positions and outline the road ahead.
A ministerial meeting on strategic autonomy is scheduled to occur, highlighting the push to pair battery regulations with broader industrial policies. The practical implications include support for second-life applications, such as repurposing used vehicle batteries for stationary energy storage. Advocates emphasize that responsible recycling must balance precaution with innovation, ensuring safe use for end users while expanding the market for recycled materials. The forthcoming rules are designed to establish a robust framework that guides both current production and future developments in the battery value chain, from raw material sourcing to end-of-life processing and reuse.