India and the European Union (EU) have launched a ₹169 crore joint initiative for electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling, marking the third coordinated call for proposals under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC). Announced on 6 May 2026 in New Delhi, the programme sets a submission deadline of 15 September 2026 and aims to address one of the most pressing challenges in the EV ecosystem — sustainable battery recycling and recovery of critical raw materials.

What the Programme Covers

The initiative falls under Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies within the TTC framework. Funding will be channelled through the European Union's Horizon Europe programme on the EU side, while India's Ministry of Heavy Industries will support domestic participation. The call for proposals is designed to accelerate innovation in advanced recycling technologies, with a specific focus on high-efficiency recovery of valuable materials including lithium, graphite, and cobalt.

The programme will also prioritise the development of safe, digitalised battery collection systems and support pilot-scale demonstrations of new recycling processes. A key structural feature is the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India, intended to enable real-world testing and faster industrial deployment of these technologies.

Key Technical Priorities

According to programme documents, the initiative will target several critical technical challenges: achieving high recovery rates from end-of-life batteries, handling mixed battery chemistries, improving logistics with an inclusive approach, and ensuring safety standards across the recycling chain. The programme will also promote second-life applications of batteries — extending their utility beyond their primary use in vehicles — as part of a broader circular economy strategy. These combined efforts are expected to reduce India's dependence on imported critical minerals, a strategic vulnerability that has grown alongside the country's EV ambitions.

What Officials Said

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, described the launch as a significant step in strengthening the India-EU strategic partnership. He noted that as India's EV market expands rapidly, building a robust domestic recycling ecosystem is crucial for both resource security and environmental sustainability. EU Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin highlighted the central role of batteries in the global green transition, stating that the initiative aims to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world application while advancing shared climate goals. Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, said the collaboration would accelerate India's transition towards a circular economy. Marc Lemaitre, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, emphasised that the initiative reflects a deepening partnership between India and the EU in green innovation.

Why This Matters for India

India's EV sector has grown sharply over the past three years, but battery recycling infrastructure has lagged behind. Without a credible domestic recycling ecosystem, the country risks exporting its critical mineral problem — spending heavily on imports only to discard the recovered materials inefficiently. This is the third call under the TTC framework, suggesting a structured, multi-year approach rather than a one-off bilateral gesture. The joint pilot line in India is particularly significant: it positions Indian industry to absorb and scale EU-developed recycling technology, potentially reducing the cost curve for domestic manufacturers. With proposals open until 15 September 2026, researchers and industry players on both sides have roughly four months to submit applications.