Environmental and economic benefits of electric, hybrid and conventional vehicle treatment: A case study of Lithuania

Reuse, recovery, and recycling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are encouraged owing to various economic and environmental benefits. Automotive remanufacturing serves as a specific circular marketing system for the reuse of recovered parts that can bring economic benefits for both dismantling companies and consumers. This study aimed to reveal the economic and environmental benefits of the end-of-life treatment of electric, hybrid, and conventional passenger cars. This research presents an economic assessment of the reuse of ELV parts based on a material flow analysis (MFA) and a practical analysis of the prices of these parts in the Lithuanian market. The environmental assessment of the reuse of ELV parts was performed using an MFA, the CO2 equivalents for the production of different materials, and a life cycle assessment methodology. The results showed that 38% of all electric and hybrid ELV parts, and 27% and 28% of diesel- and petrol-powered ELV parts, respectively, can be sold (reused). The economic benefit across all four types of ELVs could amount to savings of up to 12,739 Eur and 51,281 Eur for the dismantlers and passenger car consumers, respectively. The greatest CO2 savings result from reusing the parts of electric ELVs, whilst the lowest savings come from petrol ELVs.