Handling multifunctionality in the life cycle assessment of electric vehicle batteries in a circular economy

Lithium-ion batteries are essential for the energy and mobility transition. To reduce dependence on international supply chains and promote sustainability, the EU has introduced regulations which set ambitious circular economy targets and require standardised carbon footprint assessments. However, a widely accepted life cycle assessment (LCA) method is still missing, particularly in addressing multifunctionality in electric vehicle batteries. This work develops a method to address multifunctionality in the battery life cycle, aiming to improve consistency, transparency, and applicability across both policy and engineering contexts. A key contribution is a decision tree for LCA practitioners, designed to facilitate consistent multifunctionality handling throughout the EV battery life cycle. The decision tree is accompanied by further necessary consistency checks and reporting guidance.