A business process model for the reverse logistics of used electric vehicle batteries

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered as a ground-breaking innovation for making transportation services more sustainable. Electric vehicle batteries (EVBs) are the major technological components of electric vehicles and account for up to one third of the EVs' initial price. Due to continued cell degradation, EVBs need to be removed from the EVs after some time, but might still be reused in different scenarios such as stationary applications. EVBs that cannot be reused must be recycled to retain valuable materials such as cobalt, lithium, and nickel. The purpose of this paper is to develop a business process model for the reverse logistics of EVBs, transporting them from car workshops to their next usage sites or to adequate recycling facilities. We develop the business process model in a design research endeavor, based on reviewing selected laws and regulations that need to be complied with when transporting high-voltage batteries.