Abstract:

EVs have the ability to help decarbonize the transportation sector and combat climate change by emitting less greenhouse gases (GHGs) over their lifetime than traditional vehicles. In view of climate change, interdisciplinary strategies are needed to deal with end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) used in electric vehicles (EVs) to prevent a possible waste crisis. Building on both legal and technical perspectives, this paper criticises the current EU and UK frameworks and policies on batteries waste management which fail to address technological innovation, especially, in terms of the creation of a market for ‘second life’ of EV batteries which are subject to the electrochemical performance and durability and safety parameters, as well as LIB recycling in support of a circular economy. Most importantly, it also addresses recent developments in the EU in terms of a proposal for the EU new Batteries Regulation and the impact of Brexit in the UK for its future policy shape. The limitations of the recycling process, as described in this paper, are due to both a weak regulatory structure and a complex multi-material nature of the batteries, which limit the recycling process.