What share of recycled material must new batteries made in India contain, and from which year does each battery type start?
As reported for the June 2024 amendment of rule 4(14), whose table I could not read in the gazette, every battery type starts in 2027-28. Portable and electric vehicle batteries must contain 5% recycled material by dry weight, then 10%, 15% and 20% from 2030-31. Automotive and industrial batteries start at 35%, then 35%, 40% and 40%.
The table as reported after June 2024
The percentage is of the total dry weight of a battery. The rule says it is minimum use of domestically recycled materials in new batteries.
- Portable: 5% in 2027-28, 10% in 2028-29, 15% in 2029-30, 20% in 2030-31 and onwards.
- Electric vehicle: 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% on the same years.
- Automotive: 35% in 2027-28, 35% in 2028-29, 40% in 2029-30, 40% in 2030-31 and onwards.
- Industrial: 35%, 35%, 40% and 40% on the same years.
What the 2022 table said, and the direction of the change
The 2022 table, which I read in the gazette, started automotive and industrial batteries earlier: 35% in 2024-25, 35% in 2025-26, 40% in 2026-27 and 40% from 2027-28. The June 2024 amendment replaced the whole table. For automotive and industrial the start moved three years later, from 2024-25 to 2027-28, and the 35, 35, 40, 40 steps moved with it. Portable and electric vehicle figures did not change. The 2022 rule words the duty as minimum use of domestically recycled materials, and I did not read whether the amended table keeps that word.
Imported batteries
For an imported battery, the producer meets the obligation by getting the same quantity of recycled materials used by other businesses, or by exporting that quantity of recycled materials. The rule words this as the obligation of the producer.
What counts as battery material
The rules list metals such as nickel, cobalt, lead and lithium, and other materials such as plastics and paper. Keep a record of recycled input by weight for each battery type, with the recycler's name.
An electric vehicle pack, example
- Dry weight of one pack (example): 120 kilograms
- 2027-28 at 5%: 0.05 x 120 = 6 kilograms of recycled material
- 2030-31 at 20%: 0.20 x 120 = 24 kilograms
The rule does not say whether the share is tested per battery or across a producer's output. Ask the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) which basis applies to you.
What Senseible does here
Senseible reads fuel invoices and electricity bills into records, so the diesel and power your plant uses are on file. These rules are filed on government portals, outside Senseible's records.
- Battery waste rules and carbon data
- Recycled content documentation for the EU battery rules
- Lead acid battery carbon footprint per unit
- Free calculators
Sources: MoEFCC, Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 (rule 4(14)), Battery Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024, S.O. 2374(E), 20 June 2024
Last reviewed 2026-11-05. The 2022 table was read in the gazette. The June 2024 table (S.O. 2374(E), 20 June 2024) is as reported and was not read line by line, so check the notification before you plan. Check CPCB for the testing basis.