India, EU Launch INR 169 Cr EV Battery Recycling Programme

India and the European Union have launched a joint initiative worth €15.2 million (around INR 169 crore), to strengthen electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC). The announcement was made under Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies.

The coordinated call for proposals was launched on May 5, 2026, with the submission deadline set for September 15, 2026. The initiative aims to improve recycling systems for EV batteries, secure critical raw materials and support the transition towards a circular economy.

The programme will be jointly funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme and India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). Officials said the initiative is expected to strengthen cooperation between India and the EU in the clean energy and sustainable mobility sectors.

The project will focus on developing advanced recycling technologies for EV batteries. Areas of work include high-efficiency material recovery, safe and digitalised collection systems, and pilot-scale demonstration of innovative recycling processes. The initiative will also support the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India for testing and industrial deployment.

The proposals will specifically address issues such as high recovery rates, handling mixed battery chemistries, logistics and safety, as well as second-life applications for critical minerals including lithium, graphite and cobalt. Researchers, startups and industries from both India and Europe are expected to participate in the programme.

Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Prof Ajay Kumar Sood said, “This launch is a pivotal moment in the India-EU strategic partnership. As India’s EV market continues its rapid expansion, creating a robust domestic recycling ecosystem is essential for our resource security and environmental commitments.”

European Union Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin highlighted the importance of battery technologies in the global green transition. He said the initiative aims to move innovations from development stages to practical deployment while supporting mineral security and climate goals.

Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser Dr Parvinder Maini said the programme could help strengthen India’s circular economy through digitalised and inclusive recycling systems.

Marc Lemaître, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, said the initiative reflects growing India-EU cooperation in green innovation and sustainable supply chains for strategic materials.