Following is a question by the Hon Chan Pui-leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (January 21):
 
Question:
 
     There are views pointing out that with the increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EV) in Hong Kong, the volume of retired EV batteries (retired batteries) is expected to rise significantly. However, if such retired batteries are not handled properly, the hazardous substances they contain may cause serious environmental pollution and safety issues. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the annual number of retired batteries generated in Hong Kong in the past three years; the respective numbers of batteries that underwent preliminary treatment at licensed disposal facilities in Hong Kong and were exported overseas for recycling;
 
(2) since the launch of the "ezbatteries" scheme sponsored by the Recycling Fund in December 2022, of the respective annual numbers of batteries recycled and those used for second-life applications; whether the authorities have established performance indicators for the scheme and assessed its effectiveness; if so, of the specific indicators and assessment results; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(3) as the Mainland approved early last year an action plan to improve the recycling system for used new energy vehicle power batteries to further enhance the utilisation capacity of recycled power batteries, and that it is reported that many other Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) have now established relatively well-developed recycling systems for retired EV batteries, whether the authorities have plans to strengthen co-operation between Hong Kong and other Mainland cities in GBA to establish a cross-border battery recycling network, with a view to enhancing resource circulation efficiency; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
 
(4) as it has been reported that the technology for cascade utilisation of retired batteries (i.e. sorting, dismantling and reassembling retired batteries for application in other fields to achieve resource utilisation and environmental protection) in the Mainland is relatively mature, with over 150 "white-listed enterprises" (i.e. enterprises meeting the Industry Standards for the Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Storage Batteries of New Energy Vehicles) responsible for recycling and handling retired batteries, whether the authorities will subsidise or promote more relevant research and development projects to expand the application scope of cascade utilisation of retired battery in Hong Kong and foster the development of the local battery recycling industry; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(5) given that in its reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on June 8, 2022, the Government indicated that it has kept abreast of the international proposals and policies in relation to the traceability of EV batteries and is considering incorporating those arrangements that suit the local context into the relevant producer responsibility schemes, of the anticipated implementation timeline for the relevant measures on producer responsibility for retired batteries in Hong Kong, and whether such measures will cover the traceability management of EV batteries and the lawful scope of secondary-life applications for retired batteries; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     The handling and disposal of retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries are regulated under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354) and the subsidiary Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation (Cap. 354C). Currently, EV suppliers have engaged licensed collectors to collect retired batteries from their brands' EVs. These batteries undergo proper preliminary treatment, such as sorting, discharging and insulating, before being packaged and transported overseas to appropriate treatment facilities for recycling.
 
     The Government started planning for the management of retired EV batteries back in 2021 when it released the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles. The measures include promoting research on the second-life use of retired EV batteries through the Green Tech Fund (GTF); pushing forward the construction of local EV battery recycling facility; and formulating the implementation of a producer responsibility scheme (PRS) on EV batteries.
 
     Hong Kong's first large-scale EV battery recycling facility at the EcoPark is under construction, which is expected to commence operation in the first half of 2026. This facility aims to convert retired EV batteries into recycled black mass to be supplied to the Mainland and neighbouring regions. It will not only promote the development of the EV battery recycling industry, and strengthen Hong Kong's role in the regional green industry chain, but also serve as a good model for mutually beneficial co-operation in the environmental industry of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Government is currently consulting the trade on the operation of the PRS on EV batteries, and expects to consult the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Environmental Affairs on the implementation details within 2026.

     The reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Pui-leung is as follows:
 
(1) In the past three years (2022-2024), there were a total of about 160 tonnes of retired lithium batteries from vehicles preliminarily treated by local licensed disposal facilities for transporting overseas to appropriate authorised treatment facilities for recycling. A yearly breakdown is as follows:
 

Year	Total quantity (tonnes)
2022	69.5
2023	53.0
2024	38.1

     As the trade may currently store a certain quantity of retired EV batteries for further handling, the figures provided above may not fully reflect the total quantity of retired EV batteries generated by EVs in Hong Kong.
 
(2) In December 2022, the Recycling Fund allocated funding to launch the "ezbatteries" project for 24 months. By establishing a digital platform, the project offered a convenient channel for various stakeholders, including EV owners and recyclers, to learn more about the collection and recycling processes of retired EV batteries, with a view to alleviating their concerns on the handling of retired EV batteries. The project conducted a series of publicity activities, including workshops, seminars, a promotional video and electronic leaflet, to educate the trade and the public about the handling of EV batteries. As the project focuses on promotion and information sharing, it does not involve the actual recycling of retired EV batteries.
 
(3) In January 2025, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government established the Special Panel for Building "Zero Waste Bay Area" (the Special Panel) to strengthen policy co-ordination, technical exchanges and project collaboration, as well as elevate the capability in jointly handling solid waste.
 
     The Special Panel has commenced discussions on topics such as regional co-operation in resources circulation and waste management policy. It has been exploring ways to promote the co-ordination of regulations and market integration between the two regions, covering the potential and feasibility of cross-regional co-operation in handling different kinds of recyclable materials, including recycled black mass converted from retired EV batteries.
 
(4) As mentioned above, research promoting EVs and the second-life use of EV batteries are listed under the priority theme of green transport under the GTF. At present, the GTF has approved three research and development projects related to the recycling of retired EV batteries, covering application areas such as echelon use of EV batteries, involving a total grant of over $12 million.
 
(5) As mentioned above, the Government is currently consulting the trade on the PRS on EV batteries. This includes considerations for establishing a product traceability system and repurposing retired batteries in good condition for echelon use. The Government will consult the LegCo Panel on Environmental Affairs on the PRS on EV batteries within 2026. 

Ends/Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:15

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