Norwegian importers form joint company for EV battery return and recycling

Importers of electric vehicles to Norway have established a dedicated company for the return and recycling of high-energy batteries. Autoretur Battery Recycling will handle the collection and processing of up to 50,000 used high-energy batteries from electric vehicles annually by 2030, with volumes expected to exceed 100,000 by 2035.

The newly formed Autoretur Battery Recycling (ABR), created by the Norwegian Association of Vehicle Importers (Bilimportørenes Landsforening, BIL) through Autoretur AS, has now received approval from the Norwegian Environment Agency to operate as a company that fulfils Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). ABR will become operational on 1 November 2025.

Norwegian law requires all car importers to be members of an approved EPR organisation to ensure that vehicles are dismantled and processed correctly at the end of their life cycle. In the case of electric vehicles, the batteries require particular attention due to their environmental risks, flammability and content of valuable metals that can be recovered for reuse in new batteries.

“With the approval in place, we can offer a comprehensive and safe solution for the collection, handling and treatment of high-energy batteries. This is circular economy in practice,” says Erik Andresen, CEO of ABR.

According to BIL, the need for a coordinated system is increasing sharply. Within five years, annual volumes of discarded high-energy batteries are projected to surpass 50,000 units, doubling to more than 100,000 by 2035. “This makes it absolutely crucial to put in place a system that ensures safe and efficient collection and treatment of used batteries from electric vehicles,” Andresen adds.

ABR will take over responsibility for statutory reporting to the Norwegian Environment Agency, ensuring compliance with regulations for collection, traceability and treatment. The company will also leverage Autoretur’s existing nationwide logistics network to manage transport and processing. BIL emphasises that this approach will enable efficient operations with reduced emissions while guaranteeing safe handling.

“Through the new company, car importers will receive a cost-effective and responsible solution that meets both regulatory requirements and customer expectations for sustainability,” says Harald J. Andersen, CEO of BIL.

elbil.no, bilimportorene.no