Annual Management of 50,000 Used Electric Car Batteries Taken Over by the Norwegian Car Importers' Association through a New Company Specializing in Return and Recycling
Norwegian Automobile Importers' Association Launches New Battery Recycling Company
The Norwegian Automobile Importers' Association (BIL) has announced the establishment of Autoretur Battery Recycling (ABR), a new company dedicated to the responsible collection, return, and recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The new company will become operational from November 1, aiming to address the growing challenge of handling used EV batteries in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The automotive industry is expected to be responsible for over 100,000 batteries annually by 2035, with over 50,000 batteries needing to be handled annually within the next five years. The batteries from electric cars are both environmentally hazardous and flammable if not treated correctly, making the need for a dedicated recycling system all the more crucial.
Autoretur Battery Recycling (ABR) will handle 50,000 used electric car batteries annually, working strategically with the automotive industry and other stakeholders in Norway and Sweden to establish an efficient and environmentally sustainable battery recycling system. The collaboration aligns with evolving EU regulations concerning battery return and recycling, ensuring proper handling and circular economy principles are followed.
By forming this dedicated system, Autoretur and partners address a key challenge: most used EV batteries still hold about 80% of their lithium capacity but tend to be discarded improperly without recycling. The new company will handle all aspects of battery recycling, including the extraction of valuable metals from used batteries for reuse in new batteries.
ABR will use Autoretur's existing nationwide collection network for efficient logistics and reduced emissions. The new company will also provide a cost-effective and responsible solution for car importers, meeting both regulatory requirements and customer expectations for sustainability. Everyone who imports cars to Norway is required to be a member of an approved producer responsibility company, and the Norwegian Environment Agency has approved Autoretur Battery Recycling (ABR) to undertake the organization of producer responsibility on behalf of the entire industry in Norway.
In addition to handling all statutory reporting to the Norwegian Environment Agency and ensuring compliance with collection, traceability, and treatment requirements, ABR will replace the existing scheme through Autoretur and will be responsible for ensuring producer responsibility for high-energy batteries from electric vehicles. The Norwegian Car Importers' Association believes this new company will provide efficient logistics and safe handling of used batteries, ensuring that valuable metals can be recycled and used in new batteries, contributing to a more sustainable future for the automotive industry in Norway and neighboring Sweden.
- The collaboration between Autoretur Battery Recycling (ABR) and the automotive industry will not only address the environmental challenge posed by the increase in used electric vehicle batteries but also align with upcoming EU regulations on battery return and recycling, ensuring the integration of financial and technological advancements necessary for a circular economy.
- By establishing Autoretur Battery Recycling (ABR), the Norwegian Automobile Importers' Association (BIL) aims to leverage the power of science and environmental-science to create a more sustainable future for the automotive industry, ultimately contributing to the reuse of valuable metals in new technologies and batteries.
