Dedicated recyclers needed
EV battery recycling in Nepal should not fall on importers alone, says automobile entrepreneur and NAIMA founder Aakash Golchha. He wants separate companies set up to collect and process used batteries.
Different batteries, different systems
Golchha said Nepal needs a clear framework for lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. The two need different recycling methods. Treating them the same way will not work. Battery waste from phones, laptops and other electronics should be managed under the same broader system, he added.
Responsibility and collection concerns
He raised questions over what happens to damaged EV batteries after accidents. If a battery does not return through warranty channels, responsibility can become unclear. Golchha said the government should work with importers, consumers and other stakeholders on this. The full burden should not fall on vehicle importers alone.
What he wants from the government
Golchha urged the state to set clear rules and licensing for legal recyclers. Piling on strict obligations without building the infrastructure first will not help, he said. Nepal does not yet have full lithium-ion recycling capacity. For now, he said, black mass could be exported to India for further processing.
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