Gebhardt M, Beck J, Kopyto M, Spieske A (2022)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2022
Book Volume: 33
Pages Range: 203-217
DOI: 10.1016/j.spc.2022.06.024
Limited transparency on the sustainability of the lithium-ion battery supply chain (LIBSC) could impede a rapid scale-up of the electric vehicle battery ecosystem, which is required for the decarbonization of the transportation sector. A comprehensive and commonly accepted framework to assess the sustainability of this industry is currently missing. To address this research gap, a mixed-methods approach comprising a literature review, several expert interviews, two workshops, and a two-round Delphi study is conducted. 29 aspects concerning the LIBSC's sustainability are derived and prioritized according to their importance and ease of implementation. Furthermore, 30 barriers for establishing the required transparency in the LIBSC are identified. The results show that a broad range of criteria has to be incorporated to comprehensively evaluate battery sustainability. Thereby, greenhouse gas emissions, circularity indicators, and human rights and safety issues are considered the most crucial, while the least importance is attributed to economic aspects. A broad range of barriers to such assessments are identified, many of which stem from the interaction and relationships among supply chain tiers or originate at one tier and affect another upstream or downstream counterpart. Overall, the study's results indicate that assuring compliance with existing sustainability standards might be a feasible and pragmatic approach to cope with the considerable variety of important sustainability aspects. Moreover, the identified barriers imply that meaningful assessments can only be achieved via cross-tier assessments and considerable collaborations among the stakeholders of the rapidly evolving LIBSC.
APA:
Gebhardt, M., Beck, J., Kopyto, M., & Spieske, A. (2022). Determining requirements and challenges for a sustainable and circular electric vehicle battery supply chain: A mixed-methods approach. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 33, 203-217. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2022.06.024
MLA:
Gebhardt, Maximilian, et al. "Determining requirements and challenges for a sustainable and circular electric vehicle battery supply chain: A mixed-methods approach." Sustainable Production and Consumption 33 (2022): 203-217.
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