Cost–Benefit Analysis for End-of-Life Scenarios: A Case Study of an Electric Moped

Santiago Eduardo, Katharina Maria Schmitz, Erik Alexander Recklies and Semih Severengiz ()
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Santiago Eduardo: Sustainable Technologies Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, Bochum University of Applied Sciences, 44801 Bochum, Germany
Katharina Maria Schmitz: Sustainable Technologies Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, Bochum University of Applied Sciences, 44801 Bochum, Germany
Erik Alexander Recklies: Sustainable Technologies Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, Bochum University of Applied Sciences, 44801 Bochum, Germany
Semih Severengiz: Sustainable Technologies Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, Bochum University of Applied Sciences, 44801 Bochum, Germany

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-31

Abstract: This study presents an economic analysis of different end-of-life (EoL) strategies for light electric vehicles (LEVs). Utilising the case of a shared electric moped scooter, a cost–benefit analysis evaluates the profitability of three EoL scenarios. These scenarios encompass different combinations of R-strategies (reuse, repurpose, recycle), all of which have been shown to offer ecological saving potential in previous research. The net present value (NPV) of the current EoL treatment in Germany amounts to EUR 75.81 per e-moped, while alternative treatments which focus on repurposing the battery and increasing the number of components for reuse account for EUR 300.87 and EUR 379.01 per e-moped, respectively. In addition to providing in-depth insights into key cost factors (e.g., labour costs for disassembly) and benefits (e.g., sale of used components), this study includes sensitivity analyses. The scenarios differ in their sensitivity to changes in disassembly labour costs, spare parts revenue, and the social cost of carbon. Among all tested parameters, variations in the sale prices of components destined for reuse in the current EoL treatment scenario exhibit the highest influence on NPV, with a sensitivity coefficient of 1.43. Overall, component reuse emerges as a profitable EoL strategy, while battery repurposing appears promising for the future. Assuming a generally positive ecological impact of circular product systems for LEVs, this study also confirms their economic viability. From both economic and environmental perspectives, the findings of this study serve as a valuable catalyst for advancing circular product design, thereby facilitating the implementation of EoL strategies for LEVs.

Keywords: cost–benefit analysis; circular design; end-of-life; r-strategies; light electric vehicles (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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