Volume 61

From Regulation to Practice: Exploring conceptual policy pathways for EV battery circularity in Europe Jing Zhao, Koteshwar Chirumalla, Moris Behnam, Ignat Kulkov, Carl Dalhammar

Abstract

With the rapid development of the electric vehicle (EV) industry, the large-scale retirement of batteries has introduced multiple environmental risks and challenges to industrial sustainability. Smart circular business models (SCBMs) utilizing 10R circular strategies (i.e., Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle, and Recover) present a promising solution. However, the success of implementing such strategies, policies and regulations is considered the core support factor.
This study combines a review of regulatory frameworks with semi-structured interviews in the Swedish EV battery ecosystem to explore the key challenges in implementing the 10R strategies under the Battery regulation. Finally, it identified four interrelated pillars that shaped battery circularity: (1) policies and regulations, (2) digital technologies, (3) business models and economics, and (4) organizational and behavioral management. These pillars illustrate how various dimensions intersect to influence the implementation of 10R strategies for EV batteries.
This study contributes to both theory and practice by offering a conceptual policy pathway for translating the 10R strategies to actionable strategies. It provides guidance for Europe policymakers and industry actors to build a digitally empowered, regulations-supported, and standardized circular battery ecosystem.

Keywords policy and regulations, digital technologies, 10R strategies, organization and behavior management.