The student Aitor Picatoste Iñurrieta obtained an EXCELLENT

The student Aitor Picatoste Iñurrieta obtained an EXCELLENT

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• Thesis title: Circularity performance and environmental sustainability of innovative battery technologies and management systems for electric vehicles

Court:

• Presidency: Joan Rieradevall Pons (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
• Vocal: Rosario Vidal Nadal (Universitat Jaume I)
• Vocal: Alejandro Gallego Schmid (The University of Manchester)
• Vocal: Egoitz Martinez Laserna (BEEPLANET)
• Secretary: Laura Oca Pérez (Mondragon Unibertsitatea)

Abstract:

At least 30 million electric vehicles (EV) are forecast to be operational in the European Union by 2030. Although EVs generate zero tail-pipe greenhouse gas emissions during their operation, they produce several environmental impacts during their life cycle. The battery is one of the main contributors of these environmental impacts, representing almost 50% of the EVs life cycle impacts. Circular economy (CE) strategies can reduce resource consumption and minimize the environmental impacts of EV batteries. However, applying CE solutions does not automatically guarantee improved environmental performance, there is a risk of environmental burden shifting or negative rebound effects. To ensure that CE strategies truly contribute to sustainability, it is essential to use science-based, robust tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA provides critical insights into the impacts associated with every stage of the EV battery life cycle.

Consequently, this doctoral thesis is aimed at analysing the circularity and life cycle environmental sustainability performance of EV batteries to provide information, data and guidelines for stakeholders pursuing sustainable product development and management. To fulfil the general objective, three specific objectives were defined:

1. To review the literature on circularity and LCA studies for EV batteries, in order to identify challenges and best practices for the sustainable life cycle management of batteries.
2. To assess the stakeholder perception on the applicability of circularity design criteria and indicators for EV batteries life cycle management
3. To evaluate the circularity and environmental sustainability of alternative EV batteries and determine the correlation between circularity and environmental savings

The literature review showed that the most promising CE strategies to improve the environmental sustainability were related to the end of life stage, with 82% of the revised articles focused on recycling. The life cycle environmental impacts for batteries varied widely, ranging from 4,400 kg CO2 eq. to 55,000 kg CO2 eq. This variation is influenced by several factors, including the type of battery chemistry considered, the impact assessment methods employed, the inventories available for use, and the specific CE scenario being analysed.

Regarding to the perception of stakeholders on circularity criteria and indicators, 30 circularity criteria and 15 indicators relevant to the EV battery sector were analysed. The results indicated that criteria related with the recycling aspects were not considered suitable for application (< 25% of suitability score). The evaluation of indicators, however, showed that every circularity indicator included the recycling stage of the EV battery for their results. This demonstrated a mismatch between the stakeholders’ needs and the available indicators, where future research should focus on defining and aligning specific circularity criteria and indicators for EV batteries to support and monitor sustainable innovation.

Lastly, circularity and environmental sustainability were analysed and correlated for two batteries and two recycling methods, by means of circularity indicators and LCA calculations. The nickel manganese cobalt chemistry was 6-25% more circular than lithium iron phosphate, showing 3%-6% lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) and 12%-16% lower Abiotic Depletion Potential of minerals (ADPm) per kWh delivered. The 13%-24% higher material recovery of the nickel manganese cobalt battery is the main determinant of the improved circularity and environmental performance.

This PhD thesis opens the chance to continue the research in the future on topics such as performing a circularity and LCA analysis of a real case study of an innovative EV battery. Future research could combine the analysis of circular business models and the value chain to outline the needs of the EV battery sector at regional, national and international level.