Application of sustainable supply chain finance in end-of-life electric vehicle battery management: a literature review

Abstract

PurposeAppropriate disposal of end-of-life (EOL) electric vehicle battery (EVB) requires new method of supply chain management (SCM) toward sustainability. Sustainable supply chain finance (SSCF) is an innovative managerial practice dedicated to release cash flow pressure and improve operational efficiency in supply chain, which has drawn increasing attentions from academia and industry. There has been few researches on the integration of EOL EVB management and SSCF yet. The paper aims to fulfill this research gap and lead to the conjunction of environmental management with economic and social concerns.Design/methodology/approachThe paper conducts a systematic literature review to discuss the probable SSCF adoption on potential market of EOL EVB disposal.FindingsThe results indicate unsustainable factors and potentials to be explored in current market of EOL EVB disposal. As a solution of sustainable SCM, SSCF can ease the tension between the urgent need of EOL EVB disposal and financing problems in the supply chain, strengthening competitive advantages of EV industry.Originality/valueThe significance of this paper lies in offering an interdisciplinary view by drawing upon key perspectives from the emerging sustainable technology of EVB disposal and its underlying battery second use (B2U) market considering SSCF.