Waste360 28 January 2026

California, Washington, and Wisconsin Best Accelerate ZET Adoption, According to a New Normalized ZET Score in CALSTART’s Updated Zeroing in on ZETs Report

California, Washington, and Wisconsin Best Accelerate ZET Adoption, According to a New Normalized ZET Score in CALSTART’s Updated Zeroing in on ZETs Report

Why It Matters for ITAD

This rapid adoption means ITAD/recycling firms will soon handle significantly more complex, large-format EV batteries from commercial fleets. It highlights the urgent need to develop safe, compliant, and scalable processes for managing these hazardous, high-value components. States leading adoption will likely see regulatory pressure for battery recycling first.

Today, CALSTART, a national clean transportation accelerator, released the update of its biannual Zeroing in on Zero-Emission Trucks (ZETs) report, which details the number of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles — including purchased and leased vehicles — that have been deployed in the United States as of June 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • Prepare for increased volume of complex EV batteries requiring specialized handling and recycling.
  • Anticipate stricter regulations, especially in leading states (CA, WA, WI), for end-of-life battery management.
  • Develop expertise and partnerships for large-format battery processing to capture value and ensure compliance.

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