Repurposing Electric Vehicle Lithium-ion Batteries for the Household Context: A Delphi Study

The shift towards circular economy is accelerating, driven by policies incentivising circularity, and industry adapting sustainable business models. In Europe, the European Green Deal is a catalyst, including the new battery regulation adopted in 2023, which sets requirements for reuse, repurposing, and recycling of electric vehicle (EV) Lithium-ion Batteries (LiBs). These steps are particularly relevant because of the widespread adoption of EVs which is expected to increase the number of First End-of-Life (FEoL) LiBs in the near future. Repurposing these batteries, for example in energy storage systems (ESS), can extend their useful life before being recycled. This study explores the likelihood and feasibility of repurposing FEoL EV LiBs in the household context across short-, mid-, and long-term perspectives. It uses the Delphi method to gather expert opinions on key aspects such as the share of repurposed batteries in the future, value chain structures, emerging sustainable business models, drivers and barriers, and customer willingness to adopt repurposed batteries. The findings suggest that while technical feasibility is promising in the short-term, opinions about economic feasibility are polarised. Factors such as declining prices of new LiBs and alternative battery chemistries may challenge the adoption of repurposed EV LiBs for the household context.