Sustainability for all? The challenges of predicting and managing the potential risks of end-of-life electric vehicles and their batteries in the Global South

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Luisa Prates - , United Nations University - Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES), TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Daniel Karthe - , United Nations University - Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES), TUD Dresden University of Technology, German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology (Author)
  • Lulu Zhang - , Chair of Business Administration, esp. Sustainability Management and Environmental Accounting, United Nations University - Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) (Author)
  • Lili Wang - , Maastricht University (Author)
  • Jack O’Connor - , United Nations University-Institute for Environment and Human Security (Author)
  • Halim Lee - , United Nations University - Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) (Author)
  • Christina Dornack - , Chair of Waste Management and Circular Economy (Author)

Abstract

The transition from fossil-fuel-based internal combustion vehicles to electric vehicles plays a key role to decarbonize road transport and mitigate climate change. Even though this transition is still in its infancy, it is important to consider not only its environmental benefits but also its potential side effects. The current electric vehicle fleet is expected to increase from 2.4 million in 2020 to 81 million in 2050 (Slowik et al., How technology, recycling, and policy can mitigate supply risks to the long-term transition to zero-emission vehicles. International Council on Clean Transportation. https://theicct.org/publication/how-technology-recycling-andpolicy-can-mitigate-supply-risks-to-the-long-term-transition-to-zero-emission-vehicles. Accessed 14 Feb 2022, 2020), when more than half of all new cars sold are predicted to be battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). End-of-life (EOL) BEVs and their components (particularly the batteries) are far more challenging to manage than their fossil-fueled predecessors as they contain large amounts of chemical substances that constitute potential hazards to the environment and human health and safety. The paper discusses relevant topics for understanding future risks of transition to electric mobility in the Global South countries, which include the internationally used vehicle fluxes; waste management challenges for EoL BEV and its lithium-ion batteries (LIB); environmental and human health impacts of EoL LIBs disposal and policies and regulations for the e-vehicle life cycle. Recommendations to support the development of science-based policies to close regulation gaps of the used electric vehicle international trade flow, avoid pollution-shifting and guarantee a sustainable transition to e-mobility in the Global South countries are given. As a conclusion, an integrated approach from international and national stakeholders is fundamental to guarantee strong policies and regulations as well as to support the development of a sound management of EoL EV and LIBs in the Global South countries and help pave the way to a global circular economy.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number143
JournalEnvironmental earth sciences
Volume82
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-5081-2558/work/160480062

Keywords

Keywords

  • Circular economy, e-mobility, Electric vehicles, Lithium ion batteries, Used vehicles trade, Waste management