China to Tighten Used EV Battery Tracking via National Tracking System as of April 1

JAKARTA - China is getting serious about reforming the electric vehicle battery recycling ecosystem. The local government issued a regulation entitled "Interim Measures for Comprehensive Management and Utilization of Used Power Battery of Electric Vehicles" which will take effect on April 1.

As reported by Carnewschina, Saturday, January 17, this regulation is intended to control the flow of used batteries so that they do not enter the unofficial channel. In addition, it clarifies the responsibilities of manufacturers to industry players after the battery life ends.

One of the points highlighted in the regulation is the provision that EV batteries must remain inside the vehicle after the dismantling process. This policy is projected to facilitate supervision, including preventing used batteries from circulating without a trace and being at risk of being misused.

Previously, the EV battery recycling industry was faced with various challenges, ranging from limited infrastructure, fire risks, to expensive dismantling processes because the battery design was not standardized. Even so, China, which is at the forefront of the global EV industry, has also made technological advances.

The October 2025 report states that several local companies are able to recover up to 96.5 percent of lithium and 99.6 percent of nickel, cobalt, and manganese from used batteries. China's General Administration of Market Supervision and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) have made their system.

MIIT will build a national information platform that tracks the batteries of new energy vehicles throughout their life cycle, including production, sales, repair, replacement, dismantling, recycling, and comprehensive utilization. With this system, regulators hope that the flow of used batteries will be easier to monitor and not as difficult to trace as before.

China will also establish a comprehensive battery utilization standard system for EV batteries and support the application of new technologies, processes, and equipment. The government requires battery manufacturers and importers to use low-toxicity and easily recyclable materials from the production stage, and ensure that each battery has an identity according to the GB/T 34014 standard.

On the other hand, manufacturers and importers of new energy vehicles (NEVs) are required to submit technical information, including disassembly and battery discharge instructions, within six months of obtaining mandatory product certification. They must also submit battery information within 20 days of receiving a certificate of conformity, including the vehicle's sale date, battery code, and other supporting data.

This rule also requires EV battery manufacturers or importers to establish recycling service stations in the sales area, update service contacts periodically, and accept all used batteries that fall into the category of mandatory recycling. Similar provisions apply to parties selling NEVs in China, with a reiteration that EV batteries must remain attached to the vehicle after being dismantled.

The utilization of used batteries must follow applicable laws, regulations, and standards. No entity is allowed to conduct comprehensive utilization without legal approval.

Battery exchange and battery maintenance service companies are also required to entrust used batteries to comprehensive utilization companies or official recycling centers established by battery and electric vehicle manufacturers.

According to a report by Autohome, a research institute in China estimates that the number of used batteries will reach 1 million tons by 2030. Meanwhile, CarNewsChina reported that the battery recycling market in China reached 558 billion yuan or about 78 billion US dollars last year.

The current industry leader is called Brunp Recycling which is affiliated with CATL and claims to recycle 50.4 percent of electric vehicle batteries in China, with a waste processing capacity of 120,000 tons. With the potential for a surge in used battery volumes, China is considered to need to increase recycling capacity while still controlling the process.

This new regulation is expected to make it easier for regulators to track each battery and strengthen control over the recycling process, while opening up opportunities for an increase in the number of recycling stations. Because, the responsibility for used batteries is now attached to manufacturers and importers.