Lithium-ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group

The Lithium-ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group was created to advise the Legislature on policies pertaining to the recovery and recycling of lithium-ion vehicle batteries sold with motor vehicles in the state. It is being led by the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), and the Department for Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Additional members come from the environmental community, auto dismantlers, public and private representatives involved in the manufacturing, collection, processing and recycling of electric vehicle batteries, and other interested parties. The advisory group was formed in 2019 in response to Assembly Bill 2832 (Dahle, 2018).

Final Policy Recommendations

The Lithium-ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group has concluded its work for which it was established and completed its final policy recommendations to the Legislature in its Lithium-ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group Final Report. The final policy recommendations posted here on May 9, 2022 have been sent to the Legislature as required by AB 2832. The meetings and materials that led up to these final recommendations are available below under the Past Meetings section.

Member Organizations

California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle)
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
California Energy Commission (CEC)
Californians Against Waste
Earthworks
Honda Trading America
Ford Motor Company
Telsa
Alliance for Automotive Innovation
California New Car Dealers Association
Umicore USA
Surplus Service
SA Recycling
Kinsbursky Brothers International
The Rechargeable Battery Association
Occupational Knowledge International
Sustainable Energy Solutions
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Southern California Association of Governments

The Importance of Recycling Lithium-ion Car Batteries

There are more than 400,000 zero emission vehicles on the road in California, and the number is growing. The lifespan of the batteries in those vehicles is estimated to be between 10 to 20 years. All batteries contain metals and other toxic or corrosive materials. They are also potentially valuable as a source of recyclable metal. When the lithium-ion batteries that power electric cars reach their end-of-life, they will need to be managed in a way that is safe for the public and the environment.

California is home to nearly 50% of the ZEVs in the U.S.; 40% of North American clean fuel investments; 90% of total U.S. investment in clean transportation.

Image source: California’s 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan, California Air Resources Board

Meetings

The Lithium-ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group will meet at least quarterly and will consult with universities and research institutions that have conducted research in the area of battery recycling, with manufacturers of electric and hybrid vehicles, and with the recycling industry.

Subscribe to Lithium Recycling Group Listserv

Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act Memo

Upcoming Meetings

(No upcoming meetings planned)

Past Meetings

2022 Meetings

March 15, 2022

Public Notice and Agenda – Lithium-ion Car Battery Recycling Advisory Group Meeting #17
Meeting #17 Minutes
Final Draft Policy Recommendations – March 11, 2022
Draft Policy Recommendations – Dec. 13, 2021