Batteries are increasingly present in our daily lives – from wireless devices to energy storage to electric vehicles (EVs) and bikes. However, even though batteries are poised to accelerate the uptake of renewable energies and decarbonise the transport sector, they also come at a cost for the environment.
Last December, the European Commission published its proposal for a new Battery Regulation, aiming to make the battery boom as positive as possible for our planet. A very much needed update, as current rules do not even include a definition of what ‘electric vehicles’ are.
If left unregulated, batteries pose significant risks to our planet. They have an impact on biodiversity, water and air quality, from mining and extraction of raw materials, as well as from their disposal and recycling, not to mention their carbon footprint if fossil fuels are used in their manufacturing.
The Commission’s proposal addresses several crucial elements seeking to pave the way for sustainable batteries, covering the whole value chain, from extraction to reuse and recycling, and including requirements on performance and durability, carbon footprint and recycled content.
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