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Electric Vehicles: Batteries

Asked by Steff AquaroneLiberal DemocratDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 16 April 2026UIN 126894

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of electric vehicle batteries were (a) reused, (b) recycled and (c) disposed of via landfill or incineration in the UK in the most recent 12-month period for which data are available.

Answered by Mary Creagh

Defra does not currently collect this data. Current statutory reporting requirements for waste batteries do not distinguish between reuse and recycling, or between different types of industrial battery, which includes electric vehicle batteries. It is against the law to dispose of waste industrial batteries in a landfill or by incineration.

Taking into account the expected increases in end-of-life electric vehicle batteries over the coming years and to support optimal end-of-life outcomes for waste electric vehicle batteries, Defra is currently engaging with industry and other stakeholders to inform a review of the UK batteries regulations.

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