New rules on car batteries charging over the horizon
3rd Feb, 2023
In December 2022, the European Union Council and Parliament agreed on new rules for the design, production and waste treatment of batteries. Now, we know it doesn’t sound like the most heart-racing thing in the world, but the legislation that’s been agreed is likely going to prove influential on the vehicle recycling industry in future – so in future years, you may well start to notice the difference when you scrap your car!
So then, what exactly is changing?
What’s happening with the new battery rules?
Basically, a month or so ago in mid-December, the EU Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement to overhaul the EU rules on batteries, with a view towards adapting to technological developments and future challenges.
These new rules have been designed to encompass the entire lifespan of the battery, from the design to its end-of-life, and they’ll apply to all types of batteries sold in the EU – including (but not limited to) industrial batteries, those used for electric scooters and bikes, and electric vehicle batteries.
Some of the major changes include rules to make batteries more sustainable and durable. The proposed new legislation also says that it will be obligatory for EV batteries to have a carbon footprint declaration and label.
Lots of these rules are designed in large part to help consumers. To that end, new batteries will carry labels and QR codes that can give buyers and owners more detailed information about their capacity, performance, durability, chemical composition, and the ‘separate collection’ symbol for disposal. They’ll also have a “digital battery passport” that includes information on the battery model, as well as any additional details that might be specific to the individual battery and its uses or applications.
Why is all this being brought in now?
In a word: sustainability. The EU authorities are dedicating themselves to forming a due diligence policy that’s consistent with international standards, and effectively addressing the social and environmental risks that are linked to sourcing, processing and trading raw materials.
The ultimate idea is to create a circular economy in which these batteries can be rolled out, used, and then collected, to be recycled so that they can be reused in part or in their entirety later on. In the words of Achille Variati, an Italian politician closely involved in the process, the new rules will help make batteries “well-functioning, safer and easier to remove”.
And of course, all this will help to pave the way for electric vehicles to become more widespread on Europe’s roads, which may prove instrumental in tackling the climate crisis. Although how well-prepared the UK’s roads are for this rollout is another matter entirely!
However, at the time of writing, all this legislation is still being finalised – and even once it’s in effect, it’s still probably going to be quite some time before we see the day-to-day effects of it. Whatever happens in the meantime though, you can always count on one thing; we’ll provide you the very best prices when you scrap your car with us. Don’t just take our word for it – get an instant online quote today! It’s free, and there’s zero obligation until you decide you’re ready to proceed. Just enter your car reg and postcode into the fields on our site, and within seconds you’ll be looking at your very own instant online quote. Ready to find out how much your car is worth?
