CEVA Logistics: The Solution to EV Battery Supply Chains?
Eight million lithium-ion batteries are expected to reach end-of-life in Europe over the next five years.
As demand for electric vehicles (EVs) rises, lithium has become a key critical mineral to secure the supply chain of the future.
Now, CSCOs and beyond are racing to find solutions to reduce pressure on the mining and production of lithium.
Currently, lithium-ion batteries are subject to strict regulations around recycling, recovery and traceability.
By the end of 2025, EU rules enforce that 65% of a battery’s weight must be recycled or reused.
Although many batteries are recycled, second-life reuse is much less common. This happens when batteries are no longer suitable for vehicles, but can be repurposed for less demanding services.
EV batteries have a lifespan of around 10 years, after which they can be used for up to 10 additional years for applications like renewable energy storage or backup power.
To combat this, CEVA Logistics is launching a reverse logistics service to reuse or recycle these EV batteries.
Reducing supply risks with European investment
CEVA Logistics’ service will be dedicated to the transport, storage and processing of end-of-life batteries, funded by a multi-million Euro investment.
The plan involves Battery Logistics Centres opening across 10 European countries by 2027.
It is an initiative that could resolve key issues in the EV battery supply chain by bridging the gap between batteries leaving their vehicles and their eventual reuse or recycling.
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.”
Battery Logistics Centres: Reinventing the EV supply chain
The Battery Logistics Centres will be installed in France, the United Kingdom and Spain by the end of the year, with a plan to expand into seven other countries by 2027.
CEVA organises the collection of batteries from car dealerships, vehicle resellers and end-of-life centres.
At its Logistics Centres, the status of the batteries is analysed to determine whether they should be dismantled or reconditioned, before being delivered to recycling centres or second-life facilities.
The process introduces a more circular approach to the EV battery supply chain by keeping the raw materials in use for as long as possible.
Three pillars of 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 fully complies with strict EU regulations.
CEVA Logistics’ plans could fundamentally reshape supply chains across the automotive industry.
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.
