T&E, European Metals, and RECHARGE Call on Co-decision Makers to Strengthen Battery Supply Chains in the IAA

Three European industry groups, Transport & Environment, European Metals, and RECHARGE, have sent a joint letter urging EU lawmakers to strengthen a piece of legislation called the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) as negotiations continue. The letter asks for rules requiring a minimum amount of battery materials, both freshly mined and recycled, to come from Europe or trusted partner countries, including key mid-stage battery components used in making cathodes and anodes.

The groups argue that Europe's battery supply chains are at risk because production of these critical materials and components is increasingly concentrated in a few countries outside Europe, putting planned European battery and electric vehicle projects in danger of being canceled. They want the IAA to create more certainty for manufacturers by guaranteeing demand for materials made in Europe, through tools like public procurement and support programs, so that investment in battery production can continue.

This is a policy development happening at the European Union level, aimed at industrial and manufacturing competitiveness rather than at individual households. It does not include any new rebate, incentive, or program that a homeowner could apply for. Over time, policies like this could influence the cost and availability of batteries used in electric vehicles or home energy storage in Europe, but nothing here changes what's available to homeowners today.