A Decision Support System for End-of-Life Management of Electric Vehicle Batteries: A Framework Addressing Disassembly Complexities

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates efficient and sustainable end-of-life (EoL) management of electric vehicle batteries (EVBs). To maximize the value recovered from disposed batteries, an efficient disassembly process is fundamental, but this process is known to be complex. The purpose of this research is to address the complexities of the disassembly process for reconditioning EVBs by identifying key challenges and factors, through unstructured interviews with industry experts. This study identifies critical bottlenecks, operator skill requirements, and the variability in battery design and condition. Furthermore, this research explores the potential of a decision support system (DSS) by proposing a framework able to manage the complexities identified. This study aims to enhance the efficiency of the disassembly process, thereby supporting sustainable practices in EVB remanufacturing and reconditioning, ultimately contributing to reduced environmental impact and improved resource recovery.