China will introduce new standards for the recycling of electric vehicle batteries from April 1, including the launch of a national information platform designed to track batteries throughout their entire lifecycle, according to Chinese media reports.
The initiative, led by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), will require original equipment manufacturers to record and report data covering battery production, sales, maintenance, decommissioning, dismantling and recycling. The platform is intended to strengthen oversight of power batteries from alternatively powered vehicles as large volumes approach retirement.
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Chinese media described the new rules as “strict regulations” aimed at improving control over the rapidly expanding pool of used batteries. The measures are expected to address shortcomings in current recycling systems, including insufficient infrastructure, fire risks during handling and the high costs associated with dismantling battery packs.
According to CarNewsChina, the standards are the result of work launched in 2023, when MIIT and the State Administration for Market Regulation established a committee to standardise battery recycling nationwide. In addition to new reporting requirements, the framework promotes the adoption of advanced recycling technologies and calls for recycling considerations to be incorporated into battery design from the early stages of development.
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Industry analysts say the timing reflects mounting pressure on China’s battery ecosystem. Research cited by Autohome projects that the volume of decommissioned EV batteries will reach about 1 million tonnes annually by 2030, as early generations of electric vehicles enter their end-of-life phase.
China’s battery recycling market is expected to reach 558 billion yuan ($77 billion) by 2025, according to industry estimates. The sector is currently dominated by Brunp Recycling, a subsidiary of CATL, which Car News China said processes more than half of all retired EV batteries in the country.
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The new national tracking platform is intended to close regulatory gaps that have allowed some discarded batteries to enter informal or unsafe recycling channels. Authorities say full lifecycle management will help improve safety, boost recovery of valuable materials and support the sustainable growth of China’s electric vehicle industry.
