The New Jersey legislature passed the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Battery Management Act, setting a national precedent for the responsible management of electric and hybrid vehicle batteries.
The legislation is the first of its kind in the U.S., aiming to establish comprehensive guidelines for the collection, transportation, remanufacturing, reuse, recycling and proper disposal of lithium-ion propulsion batteries.
"New Jersey has taken a forward-looking, and holistic view of the true value of these batteries," said State Sen. Bob Smith, D-17, chairman of the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the bill's sponsor. Smith added the bill has the potential to drive innovation, job creation and environmental stewardship through the recycling industry by reusing materials and components.
The legislation is designed to foster a circular economy for EV batteries in the state, aiming to prevent these batteries from ending up in landfills, reducing the cost of new batteries through material reuse, encouraging job growth, and diminishing the reliance on the importation of rare minerals and foreign mining.
As EVs become more prevalent and the first generation of EV batteries approach the end of their useful life, New Jersey mandates battery producers develop and submit a battery management plan to the State Department of Environmental Protection. These plans must detail the procedures for battery acceptance, transportation and the recycling, reuse or repurposing strategies. The act also opens opportunities for recycling companies to use these batteries or their components and supports manufacturers in their recycling endeavors.
