The Research Training Group (RTG) "Circular E-Cars" is dedicated to the challenge of optimising the recycling of electric vehicles (EVs). EVs contain valuable non-ferrous metals and innovative composite materials. However, their recycling has so far been carried out inefficiently due to time-consuming and cost-intensive dismantling processes. The aim of the "Circular E-Cars" project is to develop innovative approaches to the circularity and recyclability of various material flows from EVs and to establish these in the Rhenish mining area. The RWTH Aachen University, the FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, the University of Siegen and the Wuppertal Institute are cooperating to make the Rhenish mining area a leading region in this field.
The RTG comprises a total of 22 doctoral projects, which are distributed among the participating partner institutions. Four of the doctoral projects are being carried out by scientists from the Wuppertal Institute: In the context of "Work Package 8 – Sustainability Assessments" and "Work Package 11 – Transformation to Circular Economy", the four dissertations address different aspects of a circular economy for EVs. Specifically, optimised recycling of technical textiles used in the vehicles, the implementation of a digital product passport, the investigation of justice aspects along the value chain and the applicability of prospective life cycle assessments are being investigated. In addition, the Wuppertal Institute, in cooperation with the Humboldtn Initiative, will offer a summer school on the topic of transformative research using the example of structural change in industrial regions.