To control the rising temperature of the earth and deal with the challenges of climate change, it is necessary to increase the production and consumption of clean energy. In this regard, emphasis is being laid on adopting electric vehicles (EVs) all over the world. Sales of 8.50 lakh electric two-wheelers are estimated in India in the financial year 2023-24. Apart from this, the number of battery operated cars, small transport vehicles and passenger buses is also increasing. In many countries including India, governments are also providing huge subsidies to the manufacturers and customers of these vehicles. Just a few days ago, the Government of India has approved the new EV policy, under which foreign companies are being encouraged to manufacture vehicles and related components either alone or in collaboration with local companies.
Production and sales are increasing in different parts of the world. In such a situation, it is natural for the demand for batteries to increase. It is estimated to produce batteries with a capacity of five terawatt hours every year by the year 2030. Along with this, measures for recycling batteries and reusing their various elements are also being considered. More than 100 million batteries will be retired in the next decade. Battery recycling, especially of lithium-ion batteries, is also important from the environmental protection point of view and doing so will also make better use of resources. With the increase in demand for batteries, the demand for minerals like nickel, cobalt, manganese, lithium and graphite is also increasing.
The availability of such minerals is less and if we add to them copper, aluminium, zinc etc., then if recycling is not done properly, their prices may increase drastically in future. In that situation, global efforts for cheap and sustainable energy may have a negative impact. Many companies with more than twenty countries have made major increases in their production targets. By 2030, there could be more than 145 million electric vehicles on the world’s roads. Apart from vehicles, such batteries are also required for computers, laptops, medical related items, drones etc. In such a situation, the need for recycling increases greatly. Although discussions are being held in this regard, experts fear that the situation of battery recycling may become like the unsuccessful disposal of electronic waste and plastic. Therefore, it becomes necessary that governments and companies set concrete strategies.