Reverse supply chain of electric vehicle retired batteries: a literature review of themes and methodologies

The rapid growth of the electric vehicle market has led to a surge in retired batteries, posing significant environmental and public health challenges. Although the reverse supply chain of electric vehicle retired batteries (RSCRB) has attracted growing academic and industrial attention, existing research remains narrowly focused on recycling technologies, leaving broader systemic aspects underexplored. To address this gap, this study conducts the descriptive and content analysis on the 125 journal articles obtained through keyword search, article selection, and content analysis. To get comprehensive research insights, four questions are carefully constructed to answer academic concerns, including (a) recycling models and recycling processes; (b) research status based on statistics; (c) research themes and methodologies; and (d) future research opportunities. The findings reveal growing scholarly interest in RSCRB, particularly in recycling models and strategies. In addition, future research opportunities are investigated, such as examining the views of various groups, concentrating on sustainability indicators, and analysing differences among economies. By providing a comprehensive review, this study enhances theoretical understanding and offers practical insights for RSCRB management.