India and the European Union have launched a new joint initiative worth €15.2 million, around Rs 169 crore, to strengthen electric vehicle battery recycling and support clean energy goals.
The announcement was made on May 5, 2026, under the India EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2, which focuses on green and clean energy technologies.
The new programme includes a coordinated call for proposals focused on EV battery recycling. The last date for submitting proposals is September 15, 2026.
The joint initiative aims to improve access to critical raw materials, support the global shift toward a circular economy, and deepen cooperation between India and the European Union.
Funding for the programme will come from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme and India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), which will support the Indian side of the project.
The programme will focus on advanced recycling technologies for EV batteries. Key areas include high efficiency recovery of valuable materials, safe and digital collection systems, and pilot projects for innovative recycling processes.
The initiative will also help establish a joint India EU pilot line in India for real world testing and industrial deployment. Researchers, industries, startups, and technology experts from both sides will work together on the project.
The recycling programme will mainly focus on important minerals used in EV batteries, including lithium, graphite, and cobalt. The project will also address mixed battery chemistry handling, logistics, safety standards, and second life applications for batteries.
Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood said India’s fast growing EV market needs a strong domestic battery recycling ecosystem to improve resource security and support environmental goals.
European Union Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin said batteries are at the centre of the global green transition and the partnership will help turn innovation into practical industrial solutions.
Scientific Secretary Dr. Parvinder Maini said the initiative will support India’s circular economy goals and encourage digital and inclusive logistics systems that can also integrate the informal sector safely.
Marc Lemaître from the European Commission said the partnership will strengthen green innovation ties between India and the EU while helping build a resilient supply chain for future strategic materials.
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