More than a million electric vehicle (EV) batteries could reach end-of-life by 2030, becoming one of the world’s “fastest-growing waste streams”.
Global EV sales have surged in recent years, surpassing 20 million units and now accounting for around 25 per cent of all new cars sold worldwide. The EV boom has also been bolstered by the war on Iran, which continues to send oil and gas prices soaring.
In fact, more than 1.24 million fully electric cars were sold in Europe during the first half of 2026 – marking a 33.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Are EVs greener than petrol cars?
EVs often start with what is known as a higher “carbon debt” compared to petrol and diesel cars as they require significantly more energy to manufacture.
