Sichuan is accelerating efforts to strengthen the management of recycling and reusing retired power batteries from new energy vehicles, with the initiative now included in the provincial government's 2026 legislative agenda. The update was disclosed by Zeng Jiming, deputy director of the Sichuan Provincial Department of Economy and Information Technology, during a press conference held on August 20 by the provincial government information office regarding the arrangements and preparations for the 2026 World Power Battery Conference.

In April of last year, Sichuan became the first region in China to issue the "Interim Measures for the Recycling and Utilization Management of Retired Power Batteries from New Energy Vehicles in Sichuan Province," pioneering a comprehensive top-level design for regulating recycling activities nationwide. "Although the interim measures are effective, their binding force is relatively limited as a regulatory document," Zeng noted. To enhance oversight, the province is now working to elevate these measures to the status of local government regulations, incorporating mandatory and punitive provisions in line with the latest national requirements.

Advancing legislation is part of Sichuan's broader exploration into turning retired power batteries into valuable resources, given its position as a core industry hub for power batteries. With new energy vehicles growing rapidly—new energy passenger cars accounting for 68.1% of domestic sales in July, meaning two out of every three new cars sold are new energy models—industry experts predict the first major wave of battery retirements will hit during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period. To address this and close the final link in the power battery industry chain, Sichuan is pursuing a dual approach.

On one front, the province is tightening regulations through top-level design and special campaigns to standardize recycling practices and crack down on illegal battery disposal. On the other, it is fostering industry growth by launching provincial-level regional centers for battery recycling and utilization last year—the first of their kind in China—and initiating construction of five new regional centers this year. These centers leverage resource integration capabilities to achieve a full lifecycle loop for retired batteries, from "decommissioning" to "rebirth."

Zeng added that Sichuan will continue exploring efforts from three angles: institutional, supportive, and enforcement. Institutionally, it aims to elevate the legislative framework for comprehensive battery recycling management. In terms of support, the province will invest substantial funds to cultivate capable backbone enterprises and use a two-way "open competition" mechanism to promote the adoption of technologies such as rapid intelligent inspection and assessment and intelligent, refined dismantling, ensuring technology serves as a solid foundation for industrial upgrades. Enforcement-wise, authorities will strictly penalize violations in recycling and utilization activities, further standardizing the industry order for retired power battery recovery and reuse in the new energy vehicle sector.