A cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling initiative supported by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has received £8.1 million in funding from the UK government, marking a major step forward in the nation’s push toward sustainable automotive innovation. The project, based in the West Midlands, is a key component of the £2.5 billion DRIVE35 programme, aimed at boosting the UK’s electric mobility ecosystem.
Partnership to Build a Circular Battery Supply Chain
The three-year project will be led by Mint Innovation, in collaboration with LiBatt Recycling and the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick. With JLR as a strategic backer, the initiative aims to extract and refine critical raw materials—including lithium, nickel, and cobalt—from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. The goal is to establish a circular, onshore supply chain for the UK’s EV sector, reducing reliance on imported materials and enhancing supply chain resilience.
“Our advanced processes aim not only to deliver high-quality recycled materials but also to reduce our dependence on virgin resources,” said Dr Beth Johnston, Assistant Professor at the University of Warwick.
Backing from DRIVE35 and the APC
The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) UK will contribute £4.05 million of the project’s total funding. The project falls under the government’s newly announced DRIVE35 initiative, which includes £2 billion in manufacturing support through 2030 and £500 million for research and development until 2035. The programme is designed to help the UK meet its decarbonisation targets and support the transition away from internal combustion engine vehicles.
Ian Constance, CEO of the APC, said, “This investment reflects the UK’s commitment to developing world-class battery recycling solutions that are critical for the sustainable future of the automotive industry.”
Strategic Value for Jaguar Land Rover
For Jaguar Land Rover, which is transitioning to an electric-first future under its Reimagine strategy, the battery recycling project is a significant step toward environmental stewardship. The company already has plans to integrate recycled battery materials into its EV lineup and views the initiative as a way to future-proof its supply chain against global resource constraints and regulatory shifts.
The recycling project aligns with broader goals to meet new mandates requiring a minimum percentage of recycled content in EV batteries, set to become stricter across Europe and other key markets in the coming years.
Broader Industry Implications
The initiative comes at a time when EV adoption faces global headwinds due to high costs and infrastructure limitations. Creating a local, sustainable source of critical minerals is expected to reduce production costs and improve the long-term viability of the UK’s EV market. The project also supports national goals to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035, a deadline that will require a robust and self-reliant EV supply chain.
Looking Ahead
The battery recycling project is scheduled to run until 2028 and is expected to serve as a scalable model for national EV battery recycling. If successful, it will significantly enhance the UK’s capacity to recover and reuse valuable materials, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen domestic supply chains.
This landmark funding round not only represents a boost for innovation in green technology but also solidifies the UK’s role as a leader in the global transition to sustainable mobility.
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