Closing the Loop on Electric Vehicle Charging

Abstract

This thesis investigates the environmental impact of AC chargers, focusing on European stakeholders and regulations, with a specific emphasis on the Swedish context. Employing a comprehensive approach, the charger’s life cycle is analyzed across three stages: Beginning-of-Life, Middle-of-Life, and End-of-Life. Through interviews with stakeholders and a thorough examination of each life cycle stage, key contributors to environmental impacts are identified, and improvement measures are proposed. The findings reveal notable trends within the charger industry, such as producers’ commitment to integrating sustainability in upcoming iterations and the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources to reduce Middle-of-Life emissions for chargers. In the End-of-Life stage, sorting and pre-treatment processes enhance recyclable material recovery, which is an important factor for circularity. The findings have implications for sustainable charging solutions, particularly in Europe. However, considering the regional focus, global applicability requires careful evaluation. This thesis sheds light on the primary factors influencing the environmental impact of AC chargers and presents practical improvement measures. The research contributes to the development of sustainable and circular charging solutions, particularly in the European context, for a sustainable future. Keywords: