Barriers to electric vehicle battery recycling in a circular economy: An interpretive structural modeling

Abstract

An increasing number of electric vehicle batteries will reach the end of their life cycle with the fast growth of electric vehicles. Since the recycling of retired electric vehicles batteries is of great significance in the light of resource utilization, ecological protection, energy saving and economic benefits, the proper management of electric vehicle battery recycling (EVBR) is crucial for achieving sustainable development. However, due to the involvement of multiple stakeholders, there are many potential barriers in the process of EVBR, and analyzing these barriers can significantly help the recycling management of waste electric vehicle batteries towards a circular economy. Although the literature has focused on analyzing obstacles to implementing reverse logistics for electric vehicle lithium battery recycling from a manufacturer's perspective, less attention has been paid to analyzing barriers to EVBR from a multi-stakeholder perspective. This paper thus aims to investigate the barriers to EVBR from a multi-stakeholder point of view, identify the main barriers affecting battery recycling, and analyze the interrelationships and hierarchies between these barriers. Based on expert opinions and literature reviews, this paper identifies twenty major barriers to EVBR and uses interpretive structural modelling (ISM) method to determine the interrelationships and hierarchies between the barriers, and finally classifies the barriers to EVBR into a seven-level structural model. Furthermore, matriced impacts corises-multiplcation appliance classement (MICMAC) analysis is applied to categorize the identified barriers to EVBR, and the twenty barriers are finally classified into three categories, namely dependent barriers, linkage barriers, and driver barriers. This paper discusses theoretical insights, managerial and practical implications, and measures to overcome EVBR barriers based on the results, which show that the lack of more appropriate incentives is a major barrier to EVBR implementation. This paper provides a solid theoretical foundation for the further development of battery recycling policies, and will also help relevant stakeholders and governments to better understand these barriers and adopt effective approaches to address them.