In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the production and sale of new-energy vehicles in China. As a result, the recycling of the batteries that power them is posing an increasingly prominent problem. If not addressed effectively, it will not only cause serious waste of resources and environmental pollution, but also take a toll on the development of the industry.

Balancing the interests of car owners and automakers is a tough job. Since the batteries are costly, many owners face a dilemma of whether to change the battery or buy a new car. According to regulations, automakers are responsible for battery recycling. However, they do not have enough resources to ensure every battery is disposed of in a proper way.

The government has made several attempts to tackle the problem. For instance, it issued a plan to pilot recycling programs in 2018 and launch a number of demonstration projects by 2020. In the short term, it is important to promote recycling through policy incentives. In the long run, however, all market players on the industrial chain, from sellers to technology developers, should be involved in building an efficient system under strict supervision.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in People's Daily on January 3)