End-of-Life Battery Management in India's EV Sector: Environmental Law, Biodiversity Risk, and Regulatory Gaps

The rapid expansion of India’s electric vehicle (EV) market, while pivotal for reducing carbon emissions, presents significant environmental and legal challenges, particularly concerning end-of-life (EoL) battery management. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which dominate the EV ecosystem, pose critical risks to ecosystems due to toxic heavy metals and improper disposal practices. This paper investigates the intersection of environmental law, biodiversity risk, and regulatory governance in managing EoL EV batteries in India. By analyzing existing frameworks—such as the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022 and the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022—and comparing them with global best practices, the study identifies gaps in biodiversity safeguards, legal enforcement, and circular economy integration. It concludes with a multi-pronged policy roadmap to enhance ecological safeguards, legal integration, and stakeholder coordination. The paper advocates for a future-ready, biodiversity-sensitive, and technologically robust approach to EoL battery governance in India.