Stellantis and Orano Abandon Planned Joint Venture for Electric Car Battery Recycling, According to Reuters

Franco-Italian automaker Stellantis and French nuclear fuels firm Orano have decided to abandon their planned joint venture for recycling electric car batteries, both companies announced on Wednesday.

The two entities had previously signed a memorandum of understanding last year, with the intention of creating a joint venture that would facilitate the recycling of used electric vehicle batteries and scrap materials from Stellantis’ gigafactories in Europe and North America. Production was slated to begin in the first half of 2026.

According to their statement, “Stellantis and Orano will not finalize the intended joint venture for recycling end-of-life electric vehicle batteries and scrap.” However, they indicated that they are exploring other potential commercial partnerships.

This venture would have provided Stellantis, which encompasses brands such as Peugeot, Fiat, and Jeep, with enhanced access to essential materials like cobalt, nickel, and lithium, which are crucial for electrification and the energy transition.