A multi-stakeholder platform, the Battery360 Alliance, was launched today to amplify India’s efforts towards a sustainable, circular and resource efficient ecosystem for batteries.
The platform was launched in the presence of Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, and dignitaries from the Department of Science and Technology and NITI Aayog. The platform is supported by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), UL Standards & Engagement, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and WRI India.
The Alliance will work towards fostering the discourse on creating a robust and sustainable value chain for batteries through cross-sectoral collaborations and knowledge exchange. It will serve as a platform for industry players, government stakeholders, research organisations, and technical experts, to collaboratively address the critical challenges and potential opportunities in the battery ecosystem. The Alliance members will work towards advancing localized battery manufacturing and creating a conducive environment for battery reuse and recycling in the country.
India is committed to installing 425 GW of renewable energy (RE) capacity and is also targeting a 30% share of EVs in new vehicle sales by 2030. This energy transition, powered by lithium-ion batteries, necessitates a sustainable approach to resource efficiency, optimal usage and safe disposal and management across the battery value chain. The demand for lithium-ion batteries (which is currently reliant on imports) is expected to reach over 600 GWh by 2030 and the recycling volume that will be generated from these batteries will be 128 GWh by 2030.
A coordinated and collaborative approach is required to establish a circular battery ecosystem to effectively manage the environmental challenges posed by the lifecycle of lithium-ion batteries and leverage the economic opportunities within the growing market.
“The Battery 360 Alliance aligns with PM Narendra Modi’s Mission LiFE which focuses on enabling behavioral changes and making people’s choices pro-climate. With 75% of India yet to be fully developed, our growth story has just begun. We need robust regulatory frameworks, policy clarity, collaborative R&D, and cost-effective innovations to reduce our primary demand for critical minerals.
The launch of the Alliance is a great way forward to promote cross-sectoral collaborations and build the emerging recycle and reuse ecosystem. Together, we must work towards introducing circularity by design, so we do not repeat the mistakes done by other parts of the world,” said Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa.
“NITI Aayog has been taking several initiatives to promote sustainability and circularity in the battery ecosystem. The launch of the Battery 360 Alliance is a timely initiative for India. It is time we standardise the processes for recycling so we can effectively reduce battery waste and our primary demand of critical minerals. We cannot lose the opportunity of reusing retired batteries and collectively, the ecosystem must ensure that recycling is done to the best of grade and quality,” said Sudhendu Sinha, Advisor, NITI Aayog.
“The Introduction of battery circularity in the EV industry is a critical theme. We must prioritise reuse, recycling and interoperability of batteries in various applications. DST is working with several organisations to explore ways to develop a robust domestic value chain for battery cell manufacturing. The launch of the Alliance is a great initiative at the right time,” said, Dr. Anita Gupta, Head of Scientific Divisions (HOD), Climate, Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division, DST.
“With the ongoing EV revolution, creating an advanced research and innovation ecosystem for batteries is crucial for India. This involves research and technology advancements across the supply chain, focusing on efficiency, waste minimization, circularity-friendly design, and sustainable business models.
The Battery360 Alliance will prioritize research and pilot projects to showcase innovative solutions, fostering a sustainable, resilient and circular battery ecosystem,” said Madhav Pai, CEO, WRI India.