A simulation of an end-of-life reverse supply chain for electric vehicle batteries

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the operation of an integrated end-of-life supply chain network in which authorised treatment facilities (ATFs), remanufacturers, and recyclers offer to Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturers the end of life (EOL) management of batteries within the UK. A simulation model has been constructed in order to measure the process efficiency, labour costs and transport costs of this reverse supply chain network for different resource (capacity) configurations. Although current demand for the management of the end-of-life (EOL) for the batteries is low there is a prediction of a rapid increase in demand as Electric Vehicle sales increase and the EV batteries within these vehicles reach their end of life. It is intended that the simulation will provide an indication of the potential capacity requirements through the supply chain that are required to deal with this future demand.