Ceva Logistics intends to offer in the future a reverse logistics solution for the transport, storage, and processing of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries. This would keep valuable and scarce core materials for the production of EV batteries circulating. The company, based in Marseille, France, operates in contract logistics, air, sea, and land transport, and is, among other things, specialized in the transport of finished vehicles.
Stepwise network expansion
According to the company, several million euros are to be invested to gradually establish a European network of battery logistics centers, called “Battery Logistics Centers”, for electric vehicle batteries in about ten European countries. By the end of 2025, centers are to be established in France, the United Kingdom, and Spain. It is planned to open further locations from 2026 to the end of 2027 in Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.
Thus, a comprehensive logistical and industrial framework for the take-back, collection, assessment, and recycling of batteries will
grow. In 2022, a first attempt to validate the concept of Battery Logistics Centers was started. This is currently being conducted at Ceva's FVL hub in Ghislenghien, Belgium.
What happens to end-of-life EV batteries?
The planned logistics centers are intended to underline the commitment to a circular value chain and accompany the automotive sector in its technological transformation. This is necessary because the market for electric and hybrid vehicles has globally grown steadily in recent years, and at the same time the batteries of the first generation of electric vehicles are approaching the end of their life.
Ceva states that in the next five years in Europe roughly eight million lithium-ion batteries are expected to be affected. In connection with evolving environmental regulations, the recycling of used vehicle batteries will become a key economic and environmental task to increase the availability of rare metals and conserve natural resources.
According to Ceva, leveraging its automotive logistics expertise and an established European infrastructure network,
the company can take a leading role in reverse logistics for used EV batteries and intends to meet growing market demands with the offering.
The aim is to provide automotive manufacturers with a reliable and scalable solution that meets regulatory requirements for battery processing. The solution rests on three strategic pillars:
- Europe-wide collection and transport: The necessary transport capacities are to be made available to collect batteries across Europe and, after processing, to send them to recycling companies.
- A broad range of services: In each center of the network, value-adding services should be implemented, such as battery diagnostics, dismantling, regeneration, or reconditioning. The aim is to maximize value recovery through reuse or recycling.
- Traceability and data management: Each battery should be tracked in real time throughout its transport and monitored with enhanced traceability—for full transparency of its delivery status.
Logistics cycle
Ceva will - supported by its ADR transport capacities - take over the pickup of batteries from car dealers, vehicle retailers,
and end-of-life vehicle centers, according to the information. After a condition assessment of the battery, a decision will be made about its dismantling or reconditioning.
And after a controlled interim storage, the modules and waste would then be delivered to recycling centers or second-life centers.
Battery logistics centers
Each Battery Logistics Center is located in designated areas of Ceva's existing vehicle logistics platforms. The centers include specialized storage areas and secured storage units in temperature-controlled containers with racking systems, temperature and humidity monitoring, and 24/7 alarm systems.
In addition, specially designed workshops for battery diagnostics, deep discharge, dismantling, and reconditioning should be available.
“The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation with the rise of electromobility. Given the challenges in recycling and reusing batteries, it was essential for us to offer robust and exemplary solutions based on our logistics expertise. With this, we are actively supporting the automotive sector in strengthening a functioning circular economy,” said Mathieu Friedberg, CEO of Ceva Logistics.
