Towards A North American Circular Economy for Electric Vehicle Batteries

• Held on October 6^th, 2021
• Hosts: This WCEF Side Event was hosted by Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC), Materials Efficiency Research Group (MERG), Natural Resources Canada.
• Read the summary report here.
• Watch the recorded event here.

Recognizing that the electrification of transportation will be key to achieving climate change mitigation goals, this workshop explored the benefits and challenges of adopting a circular economy approach to electric vehicle battery value chains. Integrating the circular economy into these value chains promises to reduce environmental and human safety impacts while optimizing and extending value from critical minerals and raw materials. This transformation will require unprecedented levels of collaboration and innovation across both private and public sectors, including new approaches in technology, business models, and financial tools, as well as in public infrastructure, policy, and regulation. With battery value chains rapidly evolving and increasing in scale, the decisions we make now will have a lasting impact over the coming decades. Through dialogue with experts and key stakeholders, this workshop explored a few key questions:

• With a highly integrated automotive and transportation sector, how can North American businesses and governments be better equipped to realize this vision for circular battery value chains?
• Who needs to work together, and what key enabling actions would set us on the path to a zero waste, low carbon and equitable economy for the burgeoning future of electric vehicles batteries?
• What are the potential benefits and risks in reusing and repurposing battery cells prior to recycling?

Beyond its contribution to a deeper and wider awareness of the issues, this WCEF Side Event focussed on specific actions that can and should be undertaken throughout the value chain and across different actors. This event identified next steps that can be taken to accelerate the transition to a fully circular economy for electric vehicles batteries in North America.

Who attended? This public event was attended by an audience of electric battery designers, manufacturers, users, recyclers, and policy makers interested in the benefits of a coordinated and integrated circular economy for electric vehicle batteries in North America.