How CEVA Logistics is Supporting EV Battery Circularity
Eight million lithium-ion batteries are expected to reach end-of-life in Europe over the next five years.
As the demand for EVs grows, lithium has become a crucial mineral for ensuring a reliable future supply chain.
Industry leaders are now seeking innovative ways to alleviate the pressure on lithium mining and production.
Currently, lithium-ion batteries are governed by stringent regulations regarding recycling, recovery and traceability.
By the end of 2025, European Union mandates dictate that 65% of a battery’s weight must be recycled or reused.
Although many batteries are recycled, the practice of second-life reuse is far less frequent.
This reuse occurs when batteries, no longer suitable for EV propulsion, are repurposed for less demanding tasks.
EV batteries typically have a lifecycle of around 10 years, after which they can continue serving for another decade in applications such as renewable energy storage or backup power systems.
To address this, CEVA Logistics is introducing a reverse logistics service focused on the reuse or recycling of these EV batteries.
European investment to reduce risks
CEVA Logistics’ initiative centres on the transportation, storage and processing of end-of-life batteries, backed by a multi-million Euro investment.
The strategy is to set up Battery Logistics Centres across 10 European countries by 2027, focusing on resolving key issues in the EV battery supply chain by bridging the gap between batteries’ retirement from vehicles and their eventual recycling or reuse.
Mathieu Friedberg, CEO of CEVA Logistics, says: “The automotive industry is undergoing major changes with the rise of electric vehicles.
“Given the challenges of recycling and reusing batteries, it seemed essential to us, drawing on our logistics expertise, to propose robust and virtuous solutions to support the automotive sector in strengthening the circular economy.”
Reinventing the EV supply chain
The Battery Logistics Centres will be operational in France, the United Kingdom, and Spain by the end of the year, with plans to expand into seven additional countries by 2027.
CEVA orchestrates the collection of batteries from car dealerships, vehicle resellers, and end-of-life centres.
Within these Logistics Centres, each battery’s condition is assessed to decide whether they should be dismantled or reconditioned before being transported to recycling centres or second-life facilities.
This process fosters a circular approach to the EV battery supply chain, maintaining the raw materials in circulation for an extended period.
The reverse logistics solution
- Battery collection and transport across Europe
- A wide range of services, including battery diagnosis, dismantling, regeneration or reconditioning
- Traceability and data management, with each battery being tracked throughout its journey
These priorities ensure that battery collection and recycling adhere fully to strict EU regulations.
The second-life strategies significantly lower the environmental footprint of the supply chain, minimising waste and emissions compared to the traditional model.
These changes are transforming Europe’s EV battery supply chain into a more circular and sustainable system which aligns with the industry’s wider regulatory shift and climate goals.
