Using DEMATEL and Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets to Identify Critical Factors Influencing the Recycling Rate of End-Of-Life Vehicles in China

Junwei Gan,Li Luo

doi:10.3390/su9101873

Abstract

At present, the recycling rate of End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in China is far lower than the heavily motorized countries, resulting in severe environmental pollution, waste of resource and hidden traffic troubles, which has a negative impact on China’s economic and social sustainable development. With the arrival of the peak season of generating ELVs in China, it is urgent and important to improve the recycling rate of ELVs. The recycling rate of ELVs is influenced by multiple factors together. The existing research about the identification of influence factors of ELV recycling rate fewer considers the interaction effect among different factors. To fill the gap, firstly the influence factors are analyzed from standpoints of economy, policy, recycling network and others. Then a hybrid model based on DEMATEL (decision making trial and evaluation laboratory) and intuitionistic fuzzy sets is employed to examine the cause–effect relationships among factors. In the study, the vagueness of decision makers’ judgment and linguistic inaccuracy is dealt with effectively by intuitionistic fuzzy sets. The research results reveal “fiscal subsidy”, “government’s restrictive policies to reuse ELVs parts”, “coordination of the industry agencies”, “participation of automobile manufacturer” and “supervision of the government” are most significant criteria influencing the recycling rate of ELVs in China. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to verify the robustness of results. Lastly, according to the critical influencing factors identified, some pertinent suggestions to the government, ELV recycling enterprise, owner and vehicle manufacturer are put forward. In addition, the future research directions are proposed.

Highlights

In recent years, China’s auto industry maintains more than 10% growth each year
This paper takes the recycling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in Chengdu city as an example to explore the influence factors of ELV recycling rate in China using intuitionistic fuzzy-Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) approach
This paper proposes three types of countermeasures based on different factors: long-term measures based on cause factors, short-term measures based on effect factors and key measures based on prominence factors

Summary

Introduction

China’s auto industry maintains more than 10% growth each year. China has become the largest automotive producer and consumer since 2009 [1,2]. It is estimated that the stock of registered vehicles in use will be more than 200 million by the end of 2017, making China the second largest in the world. A large number of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are generated. It is estimated that the number of ELVs in China will reach 13 million by 2020 [3,4]. Compared with other end-of-life products, scrap cars have been regarded as the important part of the urban mines. If the dismantled parts are remanufactured, 50% of production cost of a new car can be saved [5]. ELV dismantling and recycling industry, as an important component of energy saving and environmental protection industry, has been an emphatically supported and encouraged industry in China [4]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion