The issue of recycling electric vehicle batteries in Spain remains unresolved. Despite the growing number of electric cars, the country still lacks a single specialized facility capable of accepting and processing such waste. Owners of old batteries are forced to look for alternative solutions, often turning to neighboring countries like France.
Experts note that the lack of recycling infrastructure creates additional challenges. If a car owner ends up with a worn-out battery, it is impossible to recycle it in Spain. They have to either store the hazardous waste themselves or arrange transportation abroad, which involves extra costs and bureaucratic procedures.
Market analysis has shown that the cost of battery recycling remains unclear. Companies engaged in this field in other countries charge a fee for accepting and sorting materials. At the same time, some components can be recovered—according to experts, up to 95% of a battery’s contents can be recycled. The remaining 5% may pose a risk, as they include potentially hazardous or even radioactive substances that require special handling.
The system of funding battery recycling remains a subject of debate. Currently, the costs of processing batteries are partially covered by public funds, meaning by taxpayers. This means that even those who do not own an electric vehicle are contributing to the disposal of other people’s waste. Some industry participants believe this practice is unfair and insist that all expenses should be borne directly by the owners of the vehicles or batteries.
Until Spain develops its own recycling facilities, the problem will only get worse. As the number of electric vehicles on the country’s roads increases, the issue of safe and efficient battery disposal becomes more pressing. Discussions about possible solutions are ongoing, but no concrete steps have been taken yet to establish a national recycling system.
