What's Being Discussed

The Electric Vehicle Battery Working Group is meeting on October 9, 2026, at 9:00 AM, both in person in Downtown Honolulu and via Zoom. The group will cover three main topics:

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy: Continuing review of a proposed state law that would require manufacturers or other parties to take responsibility for disposing of electric vehicle (EV) batteries at the end of their useful life. A draft bill was shared at a previous meeting.
• End-of-life battery management practices: Reviewing recommendations on how to safely and responsibly handle EV batteries when they can no longer be used, including a proposed informational bulletin and training resources.
• Draft report review: Going over a comprehensive report required by state law (Act 209, 2025) that examines topics such as:
  • Options for reusing, repurposing, or recycling EV batteries
  • The costs and environmental impacts of recycling batteries in Hawaii versus shipping them out of state or out of the country
  • The feasibility of building a local EV battery recycling program
  • Best practices for handling batteries at the end of their life

Decisions Expected

No formal votes are listed, but the group is expected to finalize member feedback on the EPR draft bill, the end-of-life management recommendations, and the draft report. These materials are being shaped for eventual submission or legislative consideration.

Who Should Pay Attention

• Electric vehicle owners in Hawaii
• Auto dealers, manufacturers, and importers who sell EVs in the state
• Recycling and waste management businesses
• Environmental advocates and community members concerned about battery waste
• Anyone interested in Hawaii's clean energy and sustainability policies