Platform for Electromobility reaction to the revision of the European Batteries Directive

10 December 2020

Read our full paper here:

Platform for Electromobility reaction to the revision of the European Batteries Directive_v1_Final

The Platform for Electromobility – representing 39 industrial, urban and environmental stakeholders from across Europe’s e-mobility value chain – welcomes the Commission’s long-awaited publication of their proposal for new European rules for batteries as presented today.

This comprehensive legislation will be key to ensuring batteries on the European market are both produced in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner, while at the same time, putting the EU firmly on track to meet to achieving its 2050 climate-neutrality and industrial leadership ambitions as set out by the Strategic Action Plan on Batteries. The revision of the current legislative framework has the potential to provide further regulatory support and clarity for the European battery manufacturing and recycling industries by establishing legislative measures capable of increasing the continent’s competitiveness in the booming e-mobility sector. Specifically, the the whole objective of the proposal should create the legal conditions and incentives for a domestic, competitive, high-quality battery market to emerge in Europe, with true business cases for battery end of life management and environmentally sound recycling, which can help accelerate the EU’s transition to zero emissions.

Batteries will underpin Europe’s drive to climate neutral economy and zero-emission transport. In this context, we urge policymakers to keep the following in mind as the Commission proposal is debated in the European Parliament and Council:
1. Ensure comprehensive due diligence requirements – from sourcing, to refining and manufacturing – are supported at EU level so that the battery industry can bring social and environmental value along the entire value chain;
2. Develop a robust EU carbon footprint methodology addressing all batteries chemistries and covering all key emission hotspots/phases;
3. Pave the way for an effective, net-value circular economy strategy capable of treating developing waste volumes and meeting the needs of a fast-paced, innovative industry such as e-mobility.
4. Avoid batteries are not lost once they hit the market via an improved (end-of-life) declaration system;
5. Provide a consistent regulatory framework for 2nd life options of EV batteries.

As EV sales begin to take off in Europe, the future success of the EU’s ability to remain competitive with the rest of the world will be heavily dependent on the ability to domestically develop batteries at larger scale in order to meet EV demand and help accelerate the transition to e-mobility. Only with clear rules and high standards can Europe fully reap the benefits of a home-grown battery industry, bringing economic value, jobs and long-term growth as a part of the e-mobility transition.

Jayson Dong, Chair of the Batteries Working Group in the Platform for Electromobility, added that “this piece of legislation will be key to supporting a thriving European e-mobility ecosystem. It will play a key role in delivering on the innovation, sustainability and competitiveness ambitions of the 2017 launched European Battery Alliance and working towards the EU’s Green Deal roadmap. The Platform for Electromobility looks forward to engaging with all relevant EU decisionmakers on this file and sharing our wealth of expertise to ensure the EU becomes a leader in the manufacturing of innovative and sustainable EV batteries.”

For more information about the Platform and our detailed position on the revision of the Batteries Directive, please find our paper on our website here.

by Platform for electromobility

Read our full paper here:

https://www.platformelectromobility.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Platform-recommendations-on-European-Battery-Package.pdf

Batteries will underpin Europe’s efforts to achieve a climate neutral economy and transport electrification. In the European Green Deal, the European Commission stated that a ‘90% reduction in transport emissions is needed by 2050 (compared to 1990)’ and that road transport needs to move to zero emissions beyond 2025 . In order to reach this objective, Europe will have to significantly increase the uptake of zero emission technologies, with a strong emphasis on battery electric vehicles.

This will require large amounts of batteries on the European market required to power the mass expected number of zero emission vehicles. Within this context, the Commission should therefore take stronger action and prioritise these zero emission technologies in the upcoming EU Industrial Strategy and the Circular Economy Action Plan planned for March 2020 to support the domestic production of sustainable batteries.

In preparation for the upcoming EU Battery Strategy expected for October 2020, the Commission must prioritise a circular economy approach when it comes to addressing the recycling of batteries. This includes ensuring the security of supply of raw materials, the reuse (where adequate) and recycling of batteries, as well as the high  environmental and social values in the manufacturing process as ways to promote a sustainable EU battery industry. Moreover, it will be extremely important to take note of the emerging new jobs related to the dismantling and recycling sector overall, as well as the processing and the reincorporation of used active materials within new batteries (i.e. when repurposing is economically proven to be better than recycling).

This is the only path to build a strong and competitive sustainable battery industry in Europe. Success in the European EV revolution is heavily  dependent on the success of Europe’s up and coming battery industry. Only with clear focus and political will, can Europe fully enhance the benefits of a home-grown industry, bringing economic value, jobs and growth as a part of the energy transition.

13th March 2020