India and the European Union launched a third coordinated call for proposals on the recycling of electric vehicle batteries under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council Working Group two on five May 2026, with submissions due on 15 September 2026. The initiative is aimed at securing critical raw materials and accelerating the transition to a circular economy while deepening bilateral relations. The announcement was made by officials from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and the European Commission.

The call has a combined funding pool of 15.2 million euros (15.2 mn euros) and is supported on the Indian side by the Ministry of Heavy Industries; the funding for the European component will come from the EU's Horizon Europe programme. Financially this corresponds to Rs 1,690 million (Rs 1,690 mn), equivalent to about Rs 1.69 bn. The partners intend to leverage the funds to mobilise researchers, industry and startups.

The programme will prioritise development of advanced recycling technologies, including high-efficiency material recovery processes, safe and digitalised collection systems and pilot-scale demonstration of innovative methods. It will also support establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India to enable real-world validation and industrial deployment. The call specifies focus areas such as high recovery rates, mixed chemistry handling, logistics and inclusion, and safety and second life for critical minerals including lithium, graphite and cobalt.

Officials noted that the launch represents a pivotal moment in the India-EU strategic partnership as India's electric vehicle market expands and the need for a robust domestic recycling ecosystem grows to secure resources and meet environmental commitments. The Principal Scientific Adviser described the initiative as catalysing momentum towards a circular economy while the EU ambassador highlighted the intent to translate innovation into deployment and to invest in mineral security and shared climate goals. The scientific secretary emphasised integration of an inclusive, digitalised logistics model that can incorporate the informal sector while maintaining safety standards, and the European Commission representative stressed co-creation of a resilient cross-continental value chain for strategic materials.