EV Battery Recycling Statistics 2026: Recovery & Growth
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What happens to EV batteries at end of life? Increasingly, they're recycled — efficiently. Here are the key EV battery recycling statistics for 2026.
Key findings at a glance
- Modern recycling recovers 95% of lithium.
- And 97% of nickel.
- The market grows to $37.5B by 2035.
- Second-life capacity is scaling 10×+.
Source: Industry research
EV battery recovery statistics
- 95% of lithium and cobalt recovered in modern hydrometallurgical recycling. (Industry research, 2025)
- 97% of nickel recovered. (Industry research, 2025)
- 75% / 90% default U.S. recovery assumptions for lithium / nickel and cobalt. (Research, 2025)
Recycling market statistics
- $6.9 billion lithium-ion battery recycling market size in 2026. (Industry data, 2025)
- $37.5 billion projected recycling market by 2035. (Industry data, 2025)
- 25–30 → 330–350 GWh second-life battery capacity, scaling from 2025 to 2030. (Industry data, 2025)
Regulatory target statistics
- 50% EU lithium recovery target by 2027 (90% for cobalt, nickel, copper, lead). (EU Battery Regulation, 2025)
- 65% → 95% EU battery collection-rate targets, rising over time. (EU Battery Regulation, 2025)
Recyclable batteries make EVs even cleaner — see our EV emissions statistics and battery statistics. Shop home chargers.
Summary table
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium recovery | 95% | Research |
| Nickel recovery | 97% | Research |
| Recycling market 2026 | $6.9 billion | Industry |
| Recycling market 2035 | $37.5 billion | Industry |
| EU lithium target | 50% by 2027 | EU |
Frequently asked questions
Can EV batteries be recycled?
Yes — modern recycling recovers 95% of lithium and 97% of nickel (industry research).
How big is the recycling market?
About $6.9 billion in 2026, projected to reach $37.5 billion by 2035.
What happens before recycling?
Many batteries get a 'second life' in energy storage — capacity scaling from ~25–30 GWh toward 330–350 GWh by 2030.
Related reading
Sources & methodology
Compiled by the ePlug Kit team from primary and tier-1 industry sources, June 2026: RMI; EU Battery Regulation; industry recycling reports. Figures are current as of publication and rounded for readability.