Business PickupEach year, the automotive industry is responsible for generating roughly five percent of all global waste. Electric and autonomous vehicles (EVs and AVs), while eco-friendlier in operation, could add to this growing challenge by creating new streams of electronic waste (e-waste). With complex components embedded in these high-tech vehicles, the automotive industry must develop sustainable strategies for handling assets at the end of their lifespan.
The challenge of automotive e-waste
With a number of electronic components, traditional vehicles already create waste-related challenges. AVs and EVs introduce new complexities with parts such as AI-driven processors, advanced lithium batteries, connected sensors, and high-performance computing units. When a vehicle is decommissioned, these pieces greatly increase the amount of e-waste created. In India alone, where EVs are mandated, lithium-ion battery waste is expected to exceed 1,000 kilotonnes by 2050. Without proper recycling and disposal practices, EVs and AVs could contribute to environmental pollution, including the leaching of heavy metals into ecosystems, as well as data security risks and resource depletion.
Key IT assets found in EVs and AVs
Modern vehicles rely on IT hardware and software to run. Some of the IT components found in EVs and AVs include:
- Battery management systems, which contain complex electronics and software to monitor and control battery performance, requiring specialized recycling processes.
- Onboard computers and AI chips, which contain valuable but potentially hazardous materials.
- Data storage units, which hold sensitive user data and vehicle operational information, requiring secure data sanitization.
- IoT sensors and connectivity modules, which often contain a mix of metals and plastics, requiring careful separation and processing.
- User interface and infotainment systems, which can contain LCD screens with mercury, as well as other electronic components.
These assets must be handled carefully at the end of a vehicle’s lifespan to minimize environmental impact and ensure data security.
Best practices for managing automotive IT e-waste
Implement a circular economy
The automotive industry should adopt a circular economy approach by designing vehicles with easily recyclable and reusable components, which includes using modular designs that allow for simplified disassembly and part replacement. Additionally, the potential for repurposing EV components for second-life applications, such as using EV batteries for energy storage, should also be explored prior to recycling.
Create robust recycling programs
One important component of effective EV and AV recycling is creating a robust collection infrastructure featuring convenient and accessible collection points for end-of-life vehicles. Manufacturers, governments, and recycling firms must also collaborate to develop efficient e-waste recycling programs, which should focus on:
- Proper disposal or recycling of lithium-ion batteries to recover high-value materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt.
- Extended producer responsibility (ERP) policies that hold manufacturers accountable for end-of-life vehicle management.
- Partnering with certified e-waste recyclers to ensure sustainable disposal practices.
Additionally, tactics such as incentives for consumers to replace their old EVs and AVs responsibly could support compliance, along with material tracking to prevent illegal dumping.
Ensure data security and privacy
With sensitive user data now being stored in connected vehicles, proper data management and disposal practices are critical. Policies and procedures must be put in place to ensure secure data wiping prior to repurposing or recycling. Industry-wide data protection standards should be pursued for e-waste management in the auto sector, as well as a secure chain of custody for data-bearing devices throughout the recycling process.
As a NAID AAA certified facility, Quantum aligns with the highest level of data security standards and is a trusted source for handling end-of-life IT assets. See a full list of the electronic components we recycle here.