Both vehicles and Genuine Parts may contain batteries. These could be, for example, small portable batteries in the vehicle key, the vehicle starter battery or the high-voltage traction battery – i.e. your drive battery – in an electric vehicle.
According to the German Battery Act (BattG), end-of-life batteries must be collected and disposed of separately from household waste. This is indicated by the symbol of the crossed-out dustbin. Consumers are also obligated to return end-of-life batteries to an official return centre.
The law states that end-of-life batteries can be returned to retail outlets for no extra charge. Collection centres for free-of-charge return of portable and starter batteries include:
Distributors of portable/starter batteries (e.g. your Volkswagen retailer, supermarkets etc.) Operators of treatment facilities for end-of-life devices in accordance with the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (EEG)
Operators of treatment facilities for end-of-life vehicles in accordance with the German End-of-Life Vehicles Act
Public waste management authorities
High-voltage traction batteries can be returned at your Volkswagen retailer.
High-voltage traction batteries
It is often possible to prepare end-of-life batteries by simply testing, cleaning or repairing them in such a way that they can be used again for the same purpose for which they were originally intended without any further pre-treatment. Even after years of use in a vehicle, a high-voltage traction battery can still be used for practical purposes outside of the vehicle. This so-called second-life application saves on important resources, thereby preserving the environment. You can make your own personal contribution by returning your end-of-life vehicle to a certified return centre for end-of-life vehicles, thus ensuring that the battery is professionally and safely removed. If a new battery is required, your Volkswagen retailer will take care of the disposal of the end-of-life battery.
Batteries that contain heavy metals
Batteries containing heavy metals bear the chemical symbols Hg (mercury), Cd (cadmium) and/or Pb (lead). Heavy metals can accumulate in the environment, causing harm to human and animal health. Batteries that contain lithium (LI) must be treated with particular caution, e.g. they should not be subjected to intense heat or damaged.
To prevent negative impacts on humans and the environment, batteries should be collected separately from other household waste and properly returned to a return centre.
Help prevent the production of waste and littering of the environment by, for example, checking repair options for a device before disposing of it.
You can read additional information on our recycling your battery page.