WHAT'S NEW // NEW TASK 52
EVs and circularity: Addressing EV sustainability challenges
PICTURE: Manuel Boxler/Unsplash
WHAT'S NEW // NEW TASK 52
EVs and circularity: Addressing EV sustainability challenges
PICTURE: Manuel Boxler/Unsplash
During the recent Exco58 in Sweden, a new task focusing on EVs and Circularity was proposed. The goal of Task 52 is to analyse, discuss and document the main challenges and opportunities for electric vehicles and their different components towards reaching circularity. The task will provide recommendations and actions to inform decision-makers and stakeholders in industry and government.
Circularity refers to a production and consumption model that emphasises the sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling of materials and products to maximise their lifespan. In the case of EVs, it relates to the full lifecycle from mining and extraction to the recovering, refining and recycling of critical materials.
PICTURE: EV circularity diagram
The new task is motivated by the increasing pressure to reach climate neutrality, which has been identified as one of the main challenges to both the economy and the global society. Circularity is relevant to all products, services and components for electric vehicles as well as all phases of the electric vehicle lifecycle. However, EVs have specific challenges in reaching circularity. These challenges must be identified, addressed and solved adequately.
The task will provide clarity on how to improve circularity through the identification of barriers and challenges. The task will follow two work components to supply case studies on circularity assessment of EVs, use cases for circularity, including infographics and a final report that will disseminate the workshops' recommendations and findings.
Key policy messages will be disseminated through up to six in-person workshops towards the end of the task timeline, and valuable updates to newsletters, annual reports, and ExCo meetings will be provided in the interim.
The new task was initiated by Austria and Germany, with Gerfried Jungmeier taking the role of Task Manager. The Task 52 team extend the invitation to HEV TCP members and any interested institutions.
