Electric vehicles are spreading fast in Hong Kong, so more and more EVs now need to be scrapped. For owners, the paperwork is much the same as for a petrol car. The real differences are safe handling of the high-voltage battery, clearing your personal data, and how quotes are assessed.
Key takeaways: Yes, you can scrap an electric car in Hong Kong. The Transport Department (TD) procedure is the same as for petrol cars: get a vehicle dismantling certificate, commonly called lau che zhi (劏車紙), and submit form TD184 within 15 days of dismantling. The high-voltage battery must be handled by professionals, and quotes depend on battery condition and the car's overall state.
EV scrapping in 8 points
- Same TD procedure as a petrol car: dismantling certificate plus TD184 within 15 days.
- The battery is the big difference: retired EV batteries are regulated under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354) and its chemical waste regulation.
- Do not remove the battery yourself: there is a risk of electric shock and fire.
- Quotes are assessed individually: mainly battery condition, damage and demand for the model's parts.
- Clear personal data: log out of the car's accounts, unpair phones and remove the car from the brand app.
- Declare damage or flooding: a damaged battery is a safety risk and harder to handle.
- Licence refunds still apply: at least 60 days must remain on the licence.
- One-for-one has ended: the electric private car concession ended after 31 March 2026; electric commercial vehicles stay fully exempt until 31 March 2028.
How many EVs are there in Hong Kong?
According to a government written reply to the Legislative Council, Hong Kong had 178,574 electric private cars at the end of August 2026, 27.5% of all private cars. EV batteries generally last five to ten years, and the EPD roughly estimates retired battery volumes will rise from about 1,300 tonnes in 2026 to about 6,700 tonnes in 2030. EV scrapping is no longer a niche situation.
EV vs petrol car scrapping
| Item | Electric vehicle | Petrol car |
|---|---|---|
| TD procedure | Certificate + TD184 within 15 days | Same |
| Licence refund | If 60+ days remain | Same |
| Plate retention | TD129, kept for 12 months | Same |
| Key components | High-voltage battery, motor, inverter | Engine, gearbox, catalytic converter |
| Fluids | Coolant, brake fluid (no fuel or engine oil in a pure EV) | Fuel, oils, coolant, brake fluid |
| Safety risk | High-voltage shock, battery fire | Fuel leaks |
| Quote focus | Battery condition, damage, parts demand | Engine, gearbox, metal weight |
EV battery basics
The traction battery is made of many cells grouped into modules and a pack under the floor, at a voltage far higher than a conventional 12V battery. Most EVs also have a 12V battery for the infotainment and lights. Common chemistries are NCM/NCA lithium batteries (higher energy density, containing nickel, cobalt, manganese or aluminium) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP, cobalt-free with better thermal stability – BYD's Blade battery is one example). Battery state of health (SOH), damage and warnings all affect the assessment. Retired batteries may be reused for less demanding purposes such as energy storage, or recycled into "black mass" from which valuable metals are extracted.
How are retired EV batteries handled?
- Disposal of retired EV batteries is regulated by the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354) and the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation (Cap. 354C).
- EV suppliers engage licensed collectors, who sort, discharge, insulate and pack batteries before shipping them to suitable facilities for recycling.
- Five licensed chemical waste disposal facilities can handle retired EV batteries (three in Yuen Long, one in Tuen Mun, one in North District); about 130 tonnes were processed and exported for recycling in 2023–2025.
- Hong Kong's first large EV battery recycling facility at EcoPark, Tuen Mun, was reported to have opened in July 2026, with capacity of about 10,000 tonnes a year.
When choosing a scrap company, ask where the battery will go – a clear answer is a good sign.
High-voltage safety
Even with the car switched off, the battery still stores energy; mishandling risks electric shock, a damaged or short-circuited battery can catch fire, and the pack is heavy and needs special equipment. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) added EV maintenance categories (EVE basic, EVL low voltage, EVH high voltage) to its voluntary registration schemes for vehicle mechanics and workshops in 2024 and published a code of practice for EV maintenance work. You can use this to ask scrap companies about their EV experience and safety procedures.
How is an EV scrapping price worked out?
There is no fixed price list, and online claims that "a scrapped Tesla is worth over HK$100,000" have no reliable basis. Quotes depend on battery condition (warnings, damage, flooding, fire history), the extent of damage, local demand for the model's parts, age and mileage, whether it drives, and whether main parts are complete. Battery removal, storage and processing add cost, so an EV quote is not necessarily higher than for a petrol car. Send photos of the dashboard including any warning lights, and compare the net amount after all fees. See also choosing a scrap car company.
BEVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrids
Battery electric vehicles (BEV) have a high-voltage battery and motor. Hybrids (HEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV) have a fuel engine plus a high-voltage battery, so fluids and the battery both need handling. Tell the company which type you have.
Damaged, flooded and long-parked EVs
- Flooded: do not charge or try to drive; park in a ventilated spot away from flammables; call 999 if there is smoke, smell, heat or noise; inform your insurer and the scrap company.
- Crashed: underbody impacts may damage the battery pack – declare it; never open the battery casing; check with your insurer first.
- Long-parked: the 12V battery may be flat so the car will not start; state how long it has been parked.
Before you hand over your EV
- Log out of the car's brand account and remove the car from the app (including phone keys)
- Delete Bluetooth and Wi-Fi pairings, navigation addresses, contacts and call logs; remove dash cam cards; restore factory settings if available
- Cancel connected-car subscriptions, charging account links, parking, tunnel tags and autopay
- Take your portable charging cable if you want it; a home wall charger is a fixed electrical installation, not part of the car – have a qualified person remove it if needed
- Prepare the original registration document, licence (if valid), owner's ID and all keys and key cards
EV scrapping process
1. Get a quote
WhatsApp photos of the car, dashboard (with warning lights) and registration document.
2. Confirm terms
Quote conditions, validity, fees and how the battery will be handled.
3. Prepare the car
Clear personal data, unlink apps, remove belongings.
4. Handover
Check the car on site and get paid at handover.
5. Certificate
Check the Business Registration number, plate, chassis number and dismantling date.
6. Cancel registration
Submit TD184 within 15 days; add TD129 to keep your plate.
A payment receipt, a handover confirmation and the dismantling certificate are three different documents – only the certificate lets you cancel registration. See our scrap car process and door-to-door scrapping process.
Cancellation, licence refund and plate retention
- Submit documents to a TD licensing office within 15 days; otherwise the registered owner remains liable for everything arising from the vehicle. The TD does not charge for cancellation.
- Licence refund: annual fee × 0.24% × remaining days, if at least 60 days remain. The refund comes from the government, not the scrap company.
- Plate retention: form TD129, kept for 12 months; TD fee HK$560 per mark each time.
After the one-for-one scheme
The first registration tax concession for electric private cars, including one-for-one, ended after 31 March 2026. A one-off arrangement covers electric private cars ordered or arranged for shipment on or before 25 February 2026, with applications due by 24 February 2027. Electric commercial vehicles, motorcycles and motor tricycles remain fully exempt until 31 March 2028.
- The replaced private car may be petrol, diesel, hybrid or fully electric, but it must still meet the other conditions: first registered in Hong Kong for 6+ years, owned by the same person for 18+ months, licensed for at least 304 days in the 12 months (or 608 days in 24 months) before cancellation, and cancelled no later than – and within 3 months of – the new car's first registration application.
- The new car's registered owner must be the same person who scrapped the old car, so "quota sales" do not qualify.
- Questions should go directly to the TD (2804 2270 or 1823); a scrap company cannot approve applications.
Read more: one-for-one scheme ended.
Common EV scrapping traps
| Trap | What to do |
|---|---|
| "Your EV is definitely worth six figures", then a big cut on site | Get quote conditions in writing |
| A "battery handling fee" added at handover, or a "battery test fee" upfront | Confirm all fees beforehand; you should not pay upfront |
| Offers to sell your one-for-one "quota" or reapply via "inside channels" | Do not take part or hand over documents; check with the TD |
| "We can recover your one-for-one losses – pay a fee first" | A common follow-up scam; stop paying and verify through official channels |
| No answer on where the battery goes, or an incomplete certificate | Ask clearly; check the Business Registration number |
More tactics in avoiding scrap car scams.
Scrapping your EV with Pak Lam
We take EVs, hybrids, private cars, MPVs, vans, 5.5- to 30-tonne lorries and non-running cars. Quotes are based on battery and vehicle condition and are valid for 7 days if the car matches; quotes, on-site assessment and towing are free; we pay on the spot and our certificate shows our Business Registration number. Our scrapyard is in Chuen Lung Village, Route Twisk, Tsuen Wan. WhatsApp 6799 5101 with photos of the car, dashboard and registration document.
FAQ
For general questions, see our car scrapping FAQ.
How are retired EV batteries disposed of in Hong Kong?
They are regulated under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354) and Cap. 354C. Suppliers use licensed collectors who sort, discharge, insulate and pack batteries before sending them to suitable facilities for recycling; five licensed chemical waste facilities in Hong Kong can handle them.
Why isn't an EV always worth more to scrap than a petrol car?
Battery removal, storage and processing add cost; damaged, flooded or fire-affected batteries are harder to handle; and some models have limited local parts demand. Each EV is assessed individually.
What should I do before scrapping my EV?
Delete personal data and unpair phones, log out of the car account and remove it from the brand app, cancel subscriptions and autopay, take your charging cable, declare any battery warnings or damage, and prepare your registration document, licence and ID.
Can I remove the EV battery myself before scrapping?
No. High-voltage batteries carry a risk of electric shock and fire. Owners should never remove or modify the high-voltage system.
What should I watch out for with a flooded or crashed EV?
Do not charge or start it, park it away from flammables, and tell your insurer and the scrap company about the damage. If there is smoke, an unusual smell or heat, move away and call 999.
Does my home charger go with the car?
No. A home charger is a fixed electrical installation, not part of the vehicle. Have a qualified person remove it if needed; the portable cable is your personal property.
Can an old EV or hybrid be used under the one-off arrangement?
Yes – the replaced private car may be hybrid or fully electric, but the new electric private car must have been ordered or arranged for shipment by 25 February 2026, and the age, ownership, licensing and 3-month timing conditions still apply, with everything completed by 24 February 2027. Check with the TD if unsure.
How long do EV batteries usually last?
According to government information, EV batteries generally last five to ten years.
Disclaimer: Based on information from the TD, EPD, EMSD and Hong Kong Government press releases (LegCo replies) as of October 2026. Policies and facilities may change; please check the latest official information. This is not a safety procedure – high-voltage work must be carried out by qualified persons. Quotes depend on each vehicle.