Consumer Willingness to Recycle The Wasted Batteries of Electric Vehicles in the Era of Circular Economy

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly being used for the benefit of the environment and to foster the development of a low-carbon circular economy. However, compared to internal combustion engine cars, spent EV batteries (WBEVs) constitute a different form of waste, and their recycling mechanism is still in its early stages. WBEV consumer willingness to recycle is an issue in a circular economy in which EV users should be WBEV recycling pioneers. The purpose of this article is to develop an analytical model for consumers’ desire to return WBEVs for recycling, based on the circular economy and consumer welfare, in order to investigate consumer incentives for the construction of a WBEV recycling system. PLS-SEM was used for the analysis, and the results revealed the following. First, both the perception of government policy and environmental attitudes have significant positive causal effects on consumers’ intentions to recycle. Second, the perception of benefits has a significant positive mediating effect on recycling intention, whereas the perception of loss has a significant negative mediating effect. Third, the multigroup analysis found that, with the exception of gender, the variables of age, income, education, area of residence, recycling experiences, and EV ownership all have substantial moderating impacts, although their routes and directions vary considerably. Recycling policies must be appropriate for consumers, and this has policy consequences for the circular economy. Environmental education and incentives should be provided to increase consumer knowledge and willingness to recycle. Big data might help with the design of a WBEV recycling system. It is necessary to create an intelligent recycling platform, cross-regional recycling collaboration, and smart logistics for WBEVs. Further, the battery refill mechanism of energy replenishment might encourage the recycling of WBEVs.

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“…Consumer willingness to recycle spent EV batteries is essential for establishing a circular economy. Factors such as perceptions of government policy, environmental attitudes, and perceived benefits influence consumers' intentions to recycle [65].…”

“…Extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for AVs are implemented, thus incentivizing manufacturers to design products for recyclability, establish take-back systems for end-of-life vehicles, and fund recycling initiatives. Battery recycling programs and promoting circular economy practices and strategies, including de-manufacturing and end-of-life activities such as reuse, repair, and recycling, are implemented to reduce primary demand for raw materials, waste production, and dependency on limited resources [65]. Research supports developing alternative battery chemistries that rely on more abundant or environmentally friendly materials, decreasing the dependence on critical raw materials, and enhancing the overall sustainability of battery production [108].…”