Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable EV Battery Recycling: A Technical Framework for EBRR

Unofficial AI-generated summary based on the public title and abstract. Not an official translation.

🔬研究者:Presents a structured LCA methodology for EV batteries that researchers can use as a baseline for further studies and methodological refinements.

🏢実務担当者:Offers actionable steps for implementing LCA in battery recycling operations, including data collection, hotspot analysis, and strategy recommendations.

🏛政策担当者:Highlights the need for supporting recycling infrastructure and aligning regulations with LCA best practices to incentivize circular economy approaches.

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Electric vehicle (EV) battery life cycle assessment (LCA) is emerging as a strategic necessity amid booming demand and tightening environmental regulations. This report consolidates key findings and recommendations for EBRR (Electric Battery Reuse & Recycling) to implement a comprehensive LCA program covering EV lithium-ion batteries from cradle-to-grave and cradle-to-cradle perspectives. The study confirms that global Li-ion battery demand is skyrocketing – projected to increase 14-fold by 2030[<span class="xref">1</span>] – amplifying the urgency for sustainable battery management (see <span class="xref">Figure 1</span>). It outlines the full life cycle stages of EV batteries (raw material extraction, manufacturing, use, and end-of-life) and compares linear vs. circular approaches. Using the ISO 14040/44 framework[<span class="xref">18</span>, <span class="xref">19</span>] and industry-standard LCA tools, the report evaluates environmental impacts and identifies hotspots. Key findings show that mining and manufacturing dominate the battery’s carbon footprint, but end-of-life strategies can reduce lifecycle emissions by 30–40% through hydrometallurgical recycling, renewable energy integration, and second-life battery reuse. The implementation plan details a phased approach: team setup and training, inventory data collection (3–6 months), impact assessment, interpretation, and integration into EBRR’s corporate strategy. Technical challenges – data uncertainty, regional energy variability, scaling new recycling tech, and regulatory compliance – are addressed with mitigation tactics like sensitivity analysis and scenario modeling. Finally, the roadmap recommends actionable steps: transitioning from pyrometallurgy to cleaner hydrometallurgy (cutting recycling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions nearly in half [<span class="xref">3</span>]), powering battery manufacturing with renewables (potentially halving production emissions[<span class="xref">4</span>]), designing for disassembly and second-life reuse (extending battery life and reducing need for new materials[<span class="xref">5</span>, <span class="xref">6</span>]), and proactive policy engagement. Implementing this LCA-driven strategy will position EBRR as a frontrunner in responsible battery stewardship, achieving verified reductions in environmental impact (~30–40% GHG reduction) while meeting or exceeding emerging global regulations such as the EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542[53]and various Extended Producer Responsibility laws. This not only mitigates environmental and social risks but also enhances long-term profitability and resilience for EBRR in the fast-evolving EV industry.</div></div>

• semanticscholar https://doi.org/10.4271/2026-28-0092first seen 2026-05-06 00:51:15