Closing the Loop on Electric Vehicle (EV) Batteries: A rapid review of environmental, socio-economic, and monitoring insights for Australia's transport transition

Part B of this whitepaper addresses two evidence gaps identified in Part A: (i) a lack of robust environmental and socio-economic data, and (ii) the absence of clear monitoring indicators to measure progress toward the national goal of doubling Australia’s circularity rate by 2035 (DCCEEW, 2024). EV batteries are one of Australia’s fastest-growing and least well-monitored waste streams, creating risks of underestimating emissions, misallocating investment, and delaying infrastructure planning (DCCEEW, 2023). Addressing these gaps is essential to ensure that the Circular Economy Framework delivers measurable progress rather than aspirational intent.