Should more world governments start backing battery recycling movements?
A UK-based EV battery recycling project supported by Jaguar Land Rover has secured government funding to recover valuable minerals from used batteries, startup Mint Innovation announced on Thursday. The initiative is part of Britain’s £2.5 billion (USD3.35 billion) DRIVE35 programme, aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to electric transportation.
The project, which will run for three years in the West Midlands, focuses on extracting lithium, nickel, and cobalt, key materials in lithium-ion batteries. These critical minerals are essential for EV production but are costly to source and often reliant on international supply chains. Recycling them locally could reduce the UK’s dependency on imported raw materials while advancing its clean energy goals.
Moreover, the effort is a collaboration between Mint Innovation, Jaguar Land Rover (a subsidiary of Tata Motors), LiBatt Recycling, and the Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick. The project has secured £8.1 million in total funding, including £4.05 million from the UK government’s Advanced Propulsion Centre.
Beth Johnston, Assistant Professor at the University of Warwick, emphasized the environmental and economic benefits of the initiative. “Our advanced processes aim to not only deliver high-quality materials but also help reduce our reliance on virgin materials,” she said.
The DRIVE35 programme, launched by the UK Department for Business and Trade, also includes £2 billion in funding through 2030 and an additional £500 million dedicated to research and development through 2035. The plan supports innovation, job creation, and infrastructure in preparation for the UK’s 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales.
On top of that, the global EV landscape is facing headwinds. Consumer demand for EVs has recently slowed, with high upfront costs cited as a major barrier. In response, the British government in April eased EV production requirements to give automakers more flexibility amid supply chain and trade challenges.
Jaguar Land Rover, one of the UK’s most prominent automotive brands, has also been impacted by the changing market. In June, the company revised down its fiscal 2026 profit margin forecast due to softening global demand. Earlier in the year, it scrapped plans for a USD1 billion EV manufacturing facility in southern India.
Despite these challenges, the new recycling initiative reflects ongoing investment in EV infrastructure and sustainable solutions as the UK pushes forward with its green transportation strategy. We got all this from Reuters and their full article is linked here. Thank you Reuters for the information and images.
