Analyzing Rapid EV Adoption and End-of-Life Battery in Norway's Circular Economy

Abstract

The transport emission sector increased at an average annual rate of 1.7 percent from 1990 to 2022. Passenger vehicle emissions in Europe account for 16 percent of total transport emissions. This significant share has driven a major transition in Norway, a frontrunner in the electric vehicle industry, to accelerate the shift from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles. The rapid adoption of electric vehicles leads to a mass of electric vehicle batteries. These batteries, predominantly belonging to battery electric vehicles, are lithium-ion batteries, which contain lithium, cobalt, and nickel, and are hazardous to the environment. Additionally, the minerals used in the batteries are valuable as natural resources. Hence, proper waste management is crucial to address the implications of this shift towards sustainability. Without it, zero-emission vehicles alone cannot guarantee environmentally friendly technology. Taking the batteries into the circular economy is the focus of this study, highlighting the low rates of circularity in Norway, which are around four times below the global average. The thesis discusses and analyzes two recycling and repurposing methods using the system dynamics methodology. The main idea is to test the efficiency of both methods in complementing each other and reducing the accumulation of post-used batteries. In addition to the baseline model scenario, other possible scenarios have been implemented to test the policies under diverse conditions. After analyzing and evaluating the results, the best-case scenario is recommended. Additionally, suggestions for further research and study are provided to facilitate future improvements.