The automotive sector will introduce a new environmental contribution to battery recycling from electric and hybrid vehicles starting in 2026. This was reported by Febelauto, the automotive sector’s management body for end-of-life vehicles and their batteries. This new contribution is in addition to the environmental contribution from the vehicle’s sustainable recycling.
For a fully electric passenger car with an NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery, the price is 50 euros, payable upon purchase. Febelauto emphasizes that the new contribution guarantees the safe and sustainable collection, processing, and recycling of end-of-life vehicles and their batteries.
Environmental contribution
In 2024, Febelauto introduced an environmental contribution on vehicles to help fund future recycling. This now includes an additional environmental contribution that varies depending on the battery’s weight and type.
Discarded drive batteries from electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EV batteries) contain many valuable materials that can be reused. On the other hand, proper collection and processing are crucial for protecting people and the environment.
For the most common 350 kg NMC battery, the price is €50. For LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries, which offer a longer lifespan but shorter range, the price is €100. For hybrid cars and the smallest fully electric cars, contributions range from 15 to 25 euros for NMC and NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries and from 30 to 100 euros for LFP batteries.
Rapidly changing market
Currently, the number of collected discarded batteries from hybrid and electric cars remains limited, as most vehicles have not yet reached the end of their life cycle. However, there has been a significant increase in recent years, from 31.6 tons in 2021 to 412.4 tons this year. That’s an increase of almost 1200% in just four years.
The car market is changing rapidly. In the first half of 2025, 53% of newly registered vehicles were already electrified, an increase of 4.6% in two years. The used car market is also following the same trend, with a 6.7% increase over the same period.
Circular economy
The number of discarded batteries used to power hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles will increase exponentially in the coming years. “By investing in this today, we ensure that these batteries also have a place in the circular economy,” says Catherine Lenaerts, director of Febelauto.
The EV batteries collected by Febelauto are sent to specialized processors, who recover the valuable materials and make them available to the industry again. Cobalt, nickel, lithium, and copper, in particular, are essential for the production of new batteries.
Sustainable collection of scrapped vehicles and battery packs
With this contribution, Febelauto guarantees the safe and sustainable collection of scrapped vehicles and battery packs. As a consumer or last professional owner, you can bring your scrapped (electric) vehicle free of charge to a sales point or authorized center.
Febelauto is a non-profit management organization (ASBL), founded in 1999 by various professional federations in the automotive sector. The organization is considered the official management body for end-of-life vehicles in Belgium. For several years now, its role has also included the recycling and processing of batteries from hybrid and electric vehicles.
