Towards a circular economy for lithium-ion batteries stemming from electric vehicles : Recycling directly or a preceding second-life? A qualitative study of market mechanisms and end-of-life strategies

Abstract

The objective of this qualitative study is to investigate whether the growing volume of spent electric vehicle batteries will be available for second-life or prioritised for recycling directly to meet an increasing demand for battery materials. In this thesis, repurposing and recycling have been analysed in terms of what drives the demand for recycled battery materials and how this could influence the market for second-life batteries. The study’s results are based on interviews with lithium-ion battery industry stakeholders, which are discussed in relation to state-of-the-art literature from scientific and business research.