Battery Council International

Battery Council International (BCI) is the leading trade association for the North American battery industry. Our passion is educating people on the critical role of batteries in powering our daily lives – and unlocking the tremendous potential of energy storage, especially for achieving a low carbon future. Above all, our members are committed to safe, responsible battery manufacturing and sustaining the world’s most successful circular economy.

Mission

BCI’s mission is to promote the responsible manufacture, use, and recycling of batteries for energy storage applications, as well as to represent the battery industry on environmental, health, safety, economic, and other governmental policy issues. BCI achieves these objectives through communication, education, scientific, legislative, and regulatory efforts. We are committed to sustainable development by fostering progress in our economy, environment, and society.

In pursuing this mission, BCI shall focus its efforts on batteries used for the following applications:

SLI and low-voltage applications in vehicles, marine, and power sports equipment
Motive power in non-road-going vehicles and industrial and material handling equipment
Stationary storage, local backup power, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) applications
Renewable energy support, EV fast charge support, and grid regulation services

Overview

BCI supports its members’ efforts to create and sustain a successful circular economy for batteries, to provide members with the most up-to-date information on marketing and technical developments, and to provide them updates on regulatory and legislative initiatives that could affect the global industry. BCI provides ongoing governmental, and legislative liaison services for the industry and is recognized as the leading collective voice of its members and an authority on battery-related information.

This industry has a demonstrated and proven track-record of building successful circular economies: BCI members are the force behind the unparalleled collection and recycling of used automotive and other lead batteries. BCI’s actions to build this system include encouraging the enactment of mandatory lead battery recycling laws, and supporting ongoing consumer and industry education efforts. BCI created model legislation in 1989 to mandate the proper disposal and recycling of lead batteries, which has been adopted by more than 40 U.S. states and implemented in practice in the remainder. BCI also leads international efforts to increase the overall lead battery recycling rate and to advance the environmental performance of lead battery recycling which can serve as a model for emerging battery technologies.

BCI and its members have been extraordinarily successful in establishing a sustainable model for closed loop manufacturing. Lead batteries are the single most recycled consumer product in the U.S. and the world. A typical new lead battery consists of over 80% recycled material, and nearly 70% of its lead comes from recycling. BCI’s members achieve a 99% recycling rate in the U.S.