Steering extended producer responsibility for electric vehicle batteries

Abstract

The UK Government has announced its plans to bring forward the deadline for phasing out all petrol and diesel vehicles from 2040 to 2030, 10 years earlier than planned. This is a radical acceleration in the transition to electric mobility. The need to draw up coherent and robust UK regulatory structures for managing the end-of-life consequences of this transition is now more urgent than ever. This article explores the potential role of extended producer responsibility (EPR) in facilitating the safe and sustainable management of electric vehicle (EV) batteries at their end of life. It outlines the current EV battery problem from the perspective of end-of-life management, before exploring the utility of EPR in achieving a circular economy approach and reviewing the current EPR frameworks that would apply to this waste stream once a battery is no longer powerful enough to drive an EV. We conclude that current EPR frameworks for battery management are neither sufficiently clear nor suitably robust to ensure safe and sustainable electric lithium ion battery management and suggest how these could be remodelled to achieve better outcomes in this area.

Recycling of Lithium‐Ion Batteries—Current State of the Art, Circular Economy, and Next Generation Recycling

“…In general, a distinction is made between physical and financial responsibilities. [42,43] Physical responsibility refers to ensuring the treatment of waste products, including collection, transport, sorting, reuse, recycling, and disposal. [42] These tasks can usually be delegated to third parties.…”

“…[42] These tasks can usually be delegated to third parties. [42][43][44] The financial responsibility relates to the financing of the aforementioned activities and allows producers to internalize the costs of waste treatment and incorporate them into their prices. [42,43] Regulations regarding the treatment of EOL batteries vary from country to country.…”

“…[42][43][44] The financial responsibility relates to the financing of the aforementioned activities and allows producers to internalize the costs of waste treatment and incorporate them into their prices. [42,43] Regulations regarding the treatment of EOL batteries vary from country to country. In the following, the legislation in three of the largest battery markets, EU, USA, and China, is presented (Table 1).…”

A Future Perspective on Waste Management of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles in Lao PDR: Current Status and Challenges

“…In the case of Laos, there are many limitations to dealing with LIB waste management, so the extended producer responsibility (EPR) system is a significant and appropriate method to be applied in the country. As known, the EPR has a potential role in encouraging the safe and sustainable management of EV EoL batteries and also supports achieving a circular economy approach [ 75 , 176 , 177 ]. Thus, the government should consider developing specific policies, regulations, and standards on electric vehicle battery management to prevent improper battery waste management and mitigate the responsibility of the public.…”

Current Challenges in Efficient Lithium‐Ion Batteries’ Recycling: A Perspective

“…[ 35 ] The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation, [ 36 ] which applies to Asian countries, North America, and the EU, requires producers (manufacturers, automakers, and retailers) to collect and recycle spent LIBs from the vehicles and equipment sold to consumers. [ 37 ] Governmental recycling centers are national‐level recycling centers set up by local governments following relevant national laws to promote proper regulations and management of the LIB recycling market, improve recycling networks, and increase recycling amount through regulated channels. [ 38 ] Currently, most countries do not have government‐affiliated LIB recycling centers, but it is expected to be built to align with national realities for future development.…”