“电池回收”正当时，是“生意”更是“治理”

Core Viewpoint - The establishment of a comprehensive recycling system for new energy vehicle power batteries is timely and necessary, given the rapid growth of the new energy vehicle market in China and the impending large-scale retirement of batteries [1][2]. Group 1: Market Growth and Trends - In January 2025, China's automobile production and sales reached 2.45 million and 2.423 million units, respectively, with a year-on-year production growth of 1.7%. New energy vehicles (NEVs) accounted for 1.015 million in production and 944,000 in sales, marking a year-on-year growth of 29% and 29.4% [1]. - In 2024, NEV production and sales surpassed 10 million units for the first time, representing 40.9% of total new car sales, with NEV sales in the passenger car market exceeding 50% for six consecutive months [1]. Group 2: Battery Retirement and Recycling Market - The current phase of "scale retirement" for NEV batteries is underway, with the first batch of batteries reaching the end of their warranty period starting in 2024. This trend is expected to accelerate significantly post-2025 [2]. - Research indicates that by 2030, the domestic lithium battery recycling market will grow at an average annual rate of 26%, with recycling volumes exceeding 1 million tons and market size surpassing 100 billion yuan [2]. Group 3: Regulatory Framework and Standards - The State Council has emphasized the need to accelerate the development and revision of standards related to green design and carbon footprint accounting for power batteries, aiming to lead recycling efforts through regulation [3]. - A series of policies have been introduced to enhance the management of battery recycling, including the "Producer Responsibility Extension System," which mandates that vehicle manufacturers take responsibility for the recycling of retired batteries [3]. Group 4: Industry Challenges and Innovations - Despite advancements in battery recycling technology and regulatory improvements, the industry is still in its early stages, facing challenges such as lack of rigid supervision, inefficient resource allocation, and high operational costs for compliant enterprises [4]. - The European Union has introduced stringent regulations on battery recycling, mandating specific recovery rates for metals, which highlights the importance of innovation and efficiency in the recycling process [5]. Group 5: Future Directions - The focus is on enhancing the entire recycling chain, utilizing digital technologies for lifecycle monitoring, and encouraging enterprises to adopt proactive measures in battery recycling [5]. - The industry is encouraged to integrate battery recycling into the overall product lifecycle management of vehicle manufacturers, shifting the mindset from compliance to proactive engagement in recycling efforts [5].