NITI Aayog has unveiled three reports focusing on Circular Economy challenges in India related to End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), Waste Tyres, and E-waste along with Lithium-ion Batteries. These reports highlight the hurdles in the circular economy ecosystem in India and suggest measures for infrastructure enhancement, sector formalization, and strengthening the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. They also aim to boost revenue generation opportunities.
The reports emphasize the significant role of electronic and electrical equipment, lithium-ion batteries, and automotive vehicles in driving digitalization, mobility enhancement, and energy transition. Notably, Electric Vehicle (EV) sales have surged from 50,000 in 2016 to 2.08 million in 2024, with the government targeting a 30% EV share in total vehicle sales by 2030. This growth is expected to drive the demand for Lithium-ion Batteries from 29 GWh in 2025 to 248 GWh by 2035.
India is projected to witness a rise in End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) from 23 million in 2025 to 50 million by 2030, and E-waste is estimated to increase from 6.19 MMT in 2024 to 14 MMT by 2030. Managing ELVs, waste tyres, e-waste, and lithium-ion batteries sustainably poses significant challenges, making a circular economy imperative for environmental and strategic reasons. This shift is crucial for achieving the sustainable and inclusive growth vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The reports, developed in consultation with key stakeholders like line ministries, regulators, industry, and knowledge partners, provide a comprehensive analysis of current challenges and actionable recommendations to expedite the transition to a circular economy. They aim to enhance resource efficiency, material security, and sustainability in India. These reports were deliberated upon at the International Material Recycling Conference (IMRC) held in Jaipur on January 22, focusing on uniting Indian and International Recyclers for networking and business showcasing. The event witnessed participation from over 3,000 delegates and 200 exhibitors.
