The transition from fossil-fuel-based vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) plays a key role to decarbonize road transport. It is expected that the annual global EV sales will grow from 10.5 million in 2022 to over 40 million in 2030 according to International Energy Agency. By the end of 2022, it is estimated 510,000 EVs and 241,000 tons power batteries reached their end of life in China. End-of-life management of EVs and their batteries are gaining attentions both in China and Sweden given the potential risks to the environment and health and the high degree of recyclability of the metals used in EVs and batteries.

On November 23, 2023, the Sweden-China New Energy Vehicle Recycling Forum was held in Beijing. The forum was co-organized by China Association of Circular Economy, Embassy of Sweden in Beijing, and Business Sweden, and supported by China Association of Circular Economy New Energy Vehicles Recycling Committee. The forum brought together experts and representatives from both automotive sectors and circular industries to discuss topics such as recycling and dismantling of scrapped cars, remanufacturing of auto parts, comprehensive utilization of power batteries, and recycling of key metal materials of new energy vehicles. In the key areas of new energy vehicles, experts also shared and exchanged ideas on relevant policies, industry trends, best practices, etc.

Tina Karlberg, Counsellor for Science and Innovation, Innovation and Science form Embassy of Sweden and Li Yuke, the Deputy Chief Engineer of CATARC Strategy and Policy Research Center introduced the new energy vehicle recycling policies and regulations both in Sweden and China.

Representatives from Swedish Munters, SKF and Volvo Construction Equipment shared Swedish competence in the recycling and remanufacturing of used vehicles and batteries. Speakers from Deepal Automobile Technology, Hebei Changli, GEM Tianjin, China Metallurgical Industry Planning and Research Institute and Yucheng presented their technological pathways from vehicle green design to recycling of typical components and materials.

More than 60 people from the Chinese and Swedish government agencies, research institutions, colleges and universities, industry organizations and enterprises participated in the event.