Assembly committee advances bill creating state program to manage end-of-life EV batteries

Sen. Allen, author of SB 615, told the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee that the bill “would establish a program under the Department of Toxic Substances Control to ensure the proper management of end of life electric vehicle batteries.”

The bill would create a framework for end-of-life management of EV traction batteries that combines extended producer responsibility, tracking and reporting, and certification of recyclers. Supporters said the structure aims to increase reuse, repurposing and recycling while reducing risks from mismanaged hazardous waste.

The bill matters because California has one of the nation’s largest EV fleets and committee witnesses said a wave of battery retirements is coming. Jordan Wells of the California State Association of Counties said, “California has the greatest number of registered electric vehicles or EVs in the nation with over 1,200,000 registered in 2023.” Committee testimony noted that current recovery rates are low — cited in…