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India and the European Union (EU) have launched a joint initiative worth €15.2 million (approximately ₹169 crore) to promote electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling. The initiative has been introduced under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group-2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies.
This marks the third coordinated call for proposals between India and the EU, with applications invited until September 15, 2026.
The programme aims to strengthen access to critical raw materials, promote the circular economy, and deepen India-EU collaboration in sustainable technologies. Funding for the initiative will be provided through Horizon Europe, while the Indian component will receive support from the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
The initiative will focus on the development of advanced battery recycling technologies, including high-efficiency material recovery systems, digitalised collection networks, and pilot-scale demonstration projects. A joint India-EU pilot line will also be established in India to validate technologies at an industrial scale.
Key focus areas include achieving higher recovery rates, handling mixed battery chemistries, integrating logistics systems, and ensuring safety standards for second-life applications involving materials such as lithium, graphite, and cobalt.
Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, said the initiative is an important step toward strengthening India-EU cooperation. He noted that with India’s rapidly expanding EV market, building a domestic battery recycling ecosystem is essential for securing resources and meeting environmental goals.
Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India, stated that batteries are central to the global green transition. He added that the programme will help move innovations from research to commercial deployment while enhancing mineral security.
Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the PSA, said the initiative will support the development of a digital and inclusive recycling ecosystem, including participation from the informal sector.
Marc Lemaître, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, said the collaboration would help build a cross-continental value chain for critical raw materials.
The initiative highlights the growing partnership between India and the European Union in green technology, supply chain resilience, and the electric mobility ecosystem.
