@@@@Highlights •The recovery of PGMs from waste TWCs was studied using only HCl as leaching agent.•The maximum leaching rates of Pt, Pd, and Rh could reach about 96%, 97%, and 97%, respectively.•The leaching of Pt and Pd is controlled by a mixture of chemical reactions and internal diffusion, and the leaching of Rh is controlled by chemical reactions.•The ion-exchange reaction of Li+ with H+ promotes the dissolution of Pt, Pd, and Rh.