Japan Automakers to Jointly Collect Used Electric Vehicle Batteries

September 5, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese automakers will launch in October a joint project to collect lithium-ion batteries from retired electric vehicles, it was learned Tuesday.

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association unveiled the plan at the day's meeting of entities including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

As electricity-powered vehicles are expected to become even more popular, automakers aim to work together to reduce costs for battery collection and create an effective recycling system for used batteries.

The project will be carried out through Japan Auto Recycling Partnership, a Tokyo-based organization set up by the automotive industry.

Automakers will pay outsourcing fees to the organization.

The project will be open for participation to imported automobile sellers and electric vehicle startups.

Recycling facilities will be set up initially in seven prefectures--Hokkaido, Akita, Ibaraki, Aichi, Okayama, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi. More facilities will be established later. Jiji Press