Ambitious EV policy expedites the e-waste and socio-environmental impacts in India

Vivek Anand Asokan, Heng Yi Teah*, Erin Kawazu, Yasuhiko Hotta

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

There is limited knowledge on the potential impacts of electric vehicle (EV) deployment in developing countries to date. India is a rapidly industrializing country with a national policy to promote EVs, but does not have the waste management infrastructure to process battery waste. Through a model analysis for India, we projected that the sale of two-wheeler EVs will peak in 2030 at around 20 million units while the sale of four-wheeler EVs will steadily increase to 10 million units in 2050. Meanwhile, the volume of lead-acid battery waste is projected to peak in 2027, and lithium-ion battery waste from two-wheelers and four-wheelers will exceed 500 kilotons in 2044 and 1000 kilotons in 2050, respectively. Given these projections, it is imperative to create a safe environment for workers and surrounding communities, an extended producer responsibility (EPR) system and a national mechanism to track waste crimes related to batteries in the future.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106829
JournalResources, Conservation and Recycling
Volume190
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023 Mar

Keywords

  • Battery waste
  • Developing countries
  • Electric vehicle
  • India
  • Socio-environmental impacts

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Economics and Econometrics

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