Evaluation of the end-of-life performance of a hybrid scooter with the application of recyclability and recoverability assessment methods

The waste treatment related to the End-of-Life phase of durable goods such as electric and electronic equipment and road vehicles is increasingly regulated both from a European and a worldwide point of view. Regarding the transport sector, most L-class vehicles (mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, quadricycles as defined in Regulation 168/2013/EU) are not fully subjected to the Directive 2000/53/EC, which is the reference for other light vehicle categories. The recent introduction of novel archetypes and innovative powertrains for L-vehicles suggests that such products represent an actual alternative to full conventional vehicles for urban mobility; however, only limited data are available regarding their Recyclability and Recoverability. In order to cover such gap, a comprehensive view of L-class vehicle characteristics from End-of-Life perspective is proposed. The objectives of the study are the definition and the critical analysis of the context in which L-class vehicles are supposed to be treated, the identification of End-of-Life assessment methodologies and the application on a case study. Two different methodologies are compared; both come from other transport sectors. The methodologies differ in terms of performance assessment of recycling and recovery processes.