LCQ22: Handling of retired electric vehicle batteries
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Question:
In the 2025 Policy Address, the Government announced that Hong Kong's first large-scale electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility is expected to commence operation in the first half of 2026 at the Tuen Mun EcoPark, and it has been reported that the facility will focus on the green disposal of retired EV batteries. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) given that, according to the information provided by the Government in reply to a question from a Member of this Council on the Estimates of Expenditure 2026-2027, about 130 tonnes of retired lithium batteries from EVs were treated by local licensed disposal facilities and subsequently exported between 2023 and 2025, whether the Government has projected the total volume of retired EV batteries to be generated in Hong Kong in the next five years; of the environmental and economic benefits that the Government expects the overall retired EV battery treatment industry to bring each year;
(2) whether the Government allows the importation of retired EV batteries from overseas into Hong Kong for treatment; if so, of the projected annual import volume and how the safety of the transportation process will be regulated; if not, how the newly built battery recycling facility at the EcoPark will obtain a stable supply of retired EV batteries;
(3) of the locations of local licensed facilities for the disposal of retired EV batteries and the respective quantities of retired batteries treated by each facility in the past three years; in the past five years, in respect of the Environmental Protection Department, of (i) the average number of inspections conducted on such facilities, and (ii) the respective numbers of complaints received and prosecution cases instituted involving the illegal export, storage or disposal of retired EV batteries;
(4) of the number of fire incidents involving lithium batteries (including EV batteries) and the resultant casualties in the past five years; given that high temperatures in summer can increase the risk of spontaneous combustion of batteries, of the targeted fire safety inspections or regulatory measures that the Government has put in place for retired EV battery recycling and storage premises; and
(5) whether the Government will consider mandating the establishment of a "product traceability system" to track the full-cycle data of EV batteries, from importation and maintenance to retirement and recycling; whether the Government has approached major EV manufacturers and agents in this regard to discuss the establishment of such a system?
Reply:
President,
The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has become a global trend. To address the subsequent demand for the handling of retired batteries, the Government is actively enhancing local capacity for recycling and handling retired EV batteries, while improving the relevant supporting facilities. By strengthening local handling capacity, the goal is to promote resource circulation while reducing adverse environmental impacts. Hong Kong's first large-scale EV battery recycling facility is currently under construction at the EcoPark and is expected to commence in June 2026. The facility will convert retired batteries into recycled black mass, turning waste into resources.
In consultation with the Security Bureau, the reply to the question raised by the Hon Chan Hak-kan is as follows:
(1) The lifespan of EV batteries is generally five to ten years. Based on past EV first registration data, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has made a rough estimate of the volume of retired EV batteries over the next five years, which is projected to increase gradually from approximately 1 300 tonnes in 2026 to approximately 6 700 tonnes in 2030. Since the actual lifespan of each EV battery is affected by various factors, including whether the battery has been repaired, the owner's charging habits, and the battery's chemical composition, and because some batteries may be replaced or recycled before reaching their service life, the actual quantity of retired EV batteries may differ from the estimate.
The EPD commissioned an independent consultant in early 2026 to assess the social and economic impacts of the Producer Responsibility Scheme (PRS) on EV batteries. The findings show that the scheme is expected to bring significant economic benefits to Hong Kong. The scheme will promote green technology investment, generating approximately $66 million in value added to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product, and create more than 100 full-time jobs in the waste management and recycling trade, accounting for approximately 3 per cent of the total workforce in the relevant trades in 2024.
(2) The import of retired EV batteries is regulated by the waste import permit control regime under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354). Firstly, applicants are required to submit documentary proof of the transportation (such as a carriage contract with a shipping company). The EPD will assess the nature of the materials intended to be imported and the relevant transportation arrangements (such as verifying with the transport company that the batteries can be transported safely). The EPD will confirm that the retired EV batteries intended to be imported will be properly handled at a local licensed recycling facility, ensuring that the transportation arrangements comply with safety requirements and align with local recycling and handling capacity.
In addition, the EPD will continue to closely monitor the recycling amount and supply conditions in the market, and maintain close liaison with the newly constructed EV battery recycling facility at the EcoPark. The EPD will provide timely and appropriate support to ensure that the overall arrangements can align with the development and operational needs of the EcoPark facility.
(3) Currently, there are five licensed chemical waste disposal facilities across the territory that are capable of handling retired EV batteries, with three operators located in Yuen Long District, one in Tuen Mun District, and one in North District.
In the past three years (2023-2025), there were a total of about 130 tonnes of retired lithium EV batteries preliminarily treated by the five facilities above for transporting overseas to appropriate authorised treatment facilities for recycling. A yearly breakdown is as follows:
| Year | Total quantity (tonnes) |
| 2023 | 53.0 |
| 2024 | 38.1 |
| 2025 | 38.7 |
Regarding enforcement inspections and complaints, over the past five years (2021-2025), the EPD conducted an average of about 40 inspections per year on the relevant facilities. During the same period, the EPD received a total of five complaints regarding illegal storage or disposal of retired EV batteries, none of which led to prosecution. On the other hand, the EPD did not receive complaints concerning the illegal export of retired EV batteries during the same period, while there was one prosecution case.
(4) The number of fire incidents involving electric vehicle (EV) batteries and the resultant casualties in the past five years are as follows:
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| No. of fire incidents | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| No. of injuries | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| No. of deaths | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The Fire Services Department (FSD) regularly conducts risk-based inspections on recycling sites (including retired EV battery recycling sites), and formulates contingency plans based on the findings of risk assessments, such as the distance of the sites from vehicular access roads and water supply. Moreover, the FSD will take enforcement actions if contraventions of the Fire Services Ordinance or the Dangerous Goods Ordinance are identified during inspections. If other irregularities are found, they will be referred to relevant departments for follow up actions.
In addition, in light of the incidents in recent years where lithium batteries (including electronic products) spontaneously combusted at some recycling sites during the high summer temperatures, the EPD began conducting regular visits to recycling yards across Hong Kong since mid-2025 to distribute publicity leaflets on the proper storage and fire prevention for lithium batteries. This aims to enhance the fire safety awareness of relevant practitioners regarding lithium batteries and other dangerous goods, thereby reducing the risk of fires caused by the spontaneous combustion of lithium batteries in high temperatures. The EPD will continue to closely monitor the relevant fire risks, and strengthen inspections, as well as publicity and education for the relevant trades.
(5) The EPD plans to require suppliers who distribute EV batteries in Hong Kong to register with the EPD before distribution, and to submit information regarding the batteries, such as battery identification numbers, weight and quantities distributed, to the EPD on a regular basis. In addition, the EPD is currently consulting the trade on the PRS on EV batteries (EVBPRS), including how to improve the traceability mechanism for EV batteries to enhance the effectiveness of battery lifecycle management. The EPD will consult the Panel on Environmental Affairs of the Legislative Council on the EVBPRS within 2026 based on actual situation.
Ends/Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:30
Issued at HKT 12:30
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