Norway’s rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is creating an equally rapid challenge: how to manage the growing wave of end-of-life high-energy batteries.
By 2030, annual volumes are projected to reach 50,000 units, climbing to over 100,000 by 2035, according to the Norwegian Association of Vehicle Importers (BIL). To address this, importers have formed Autoretur Battery Recycling (ABR), a dedicated company tasked with ensuring the safe collection, processing, and recycling of these batteries at scale.
Scheduled to begin operations on 1 November 2025, ABR has secured approval from the Norwegian Environment Agency to operate under Norway’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. The EPR model mandates that vehicle importers ensure proper dismantling and processing of end-of-life products, with EV batteries subject to additional safety, environmental, and resource recovery requirements. The company will take over statutory reporting obligations for importers, covering traceability, compliance, and treatment processes.
ABR will leverage Autoretur’s existing nationwide logistics network to transport and process high-energy batteries, a move designed to streamline operations, cut emissions from transport, and ensure adherence to strict safety standards. High-energy batteries, which contain valuable metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, pose both an environmental hazard and a resource opportunity. By recovering these materials, ABR aims to close the loop in battery supply chains, supporting both sustainability targets and raw material security.
The initiative reflects a broader industry shift toward scaling circular economy practices beyond pilot projects. Norway’s EV market penetration—the highest per capita in the world—means the country is entering the first major wave of large-scale battery retirements. Without coordinated infrastructure, the growing volume of high-energy battery waste risks overwhelming existing facilities and supply chains.
