Evaluation of the end-of-life performance of a hybrid scooter with the application of recyclability and recoverability assessment methods

Abstract The waste treatment related to the End-of-Life phase of durable goods such as electric and electronic equipment and road vehicles is increasingly regulated both from a European and a worldwide point of view. Regarding the transport sector, most L-class vehicles (mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, quadricycles as defined in Regulation 168/2013/EU) are not fully subjected to the Directive 2000/53/EC, which is the reference for other light vehicle categories. The recent introduction of novel archetypes and innovative powertrains for L-vehicles suggests that such products represent an actual alternative to full conventional vehicles for urban mobility; however, only limited data are available regarding their Recyclability and Recoverability. In order to cover such gap, a comprehensive view of L-class vehicle characteristics from End-of-Life perspective is proposed. The objectives of the study are the definition and the critical analysis of the context in which L-class vehicles are supposed to be treated, the identification of End-of-Life assessment methodologies and the application on a case study. Two different methodologies are compared; both come from other transport sectors. The methodologies differ in terms of performance assessment of recycling and recovery processes. The treatment of the vehicle has been reproduced in controlled condition to obtain a detailed inventory of parts. Furthermore, four different hypotheses regarding the accuracy of the treatment have been formulated. The data have been used to estimate vehicle Recyclability and Recoverability rates under the proposed scenarios. The results demonstrate the compliance of Recyclability and Recoverability rates according to the most demanding regulation adopted for automotive products, even if such characteristics are not type approval requirements. The comparison between the two assessment methods shows that satisfactory Recyclability and Recoverability values can be achieved also considering technological limitations, at the cost of increased dismantling effort. The variability of results on the basis of external conditions is calculated, estimating four cases from “worst” to “best” option. The discrepancies between the results of the two assessments methods and the relation to realistic limitations are discussed. Using the first assessment method – ISO 22628 – it is calculated that the dismantling of the bodywork is sufficient to achieve a 85% recyclability result, and higher values are obtained in case of favorable scenario; Recoverability is also assessed to be above 95%. Using a method taking into account technological limitations – UNIFE assessment, adapted from railway sector – lower values are calculated, the reduction being from 1% to 3% for Recyclability and from 3% to 15% for Recoverability, depending on the boundary conditions considered. Further research should be done to improve the assessment methods and to estimate the effective waste production arising from vehicle treatment, thus identifying physical and technological limits in relation to the product and to the context under study. For the sector of L-class vehicles, the study should be extended to a range of products, validating data through on-field trials.