Toward Advanced Circular Strategies in Automotive Engineering: The Case of EV Batteries Recycling in Romania as a Medium-Sized Emerging Market

Mircea Boşcoianu; Ciprian Cusutură; Andrada Runceanu

doi:10.2478/kbo-2026-0064

.blurhash-client-img { display: none !important; }

Toward Advanced Circular Strategies in Automotive Engineering: The Case of EV Batteries Recycling in Romania as a Medium-Sized Emerging Market

International conference KNOWLEDGE-BASED ORGANIZATION

Volume 32 (2026): Issue 3 (June 2026)

By: Mircea Boşcoianu, Ciprian Cusutură and Andrada Runceanu

Open Access

|Jul 2026

Abstract

As a medium-sized emerging market, Romania has demonstrated an interesting trend in relation to the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). Compared to other emerging markets in the region, the rate of adoption has been higher and the dynamics particularly noteworthy. Customers understood the importance of switching to EVs, while the reduction in financial support provided through the Rabla Plus programs in 2025-2026 was partially offset by the energy crisis of April 2026, which manifested itself in rising fuel prices. A novel aspect addressed in this research concerns the analysis of the feasibility of implementing recycling systems in emerging markets. Romania has entrepreneurial specialists interested in new recycling technologies that would reduce the life-cycle cost of EV products.

References

Dugoua, E., Gerarden, T.D. Induced Innovation, Inventors, and the Energy Transition. American Economic Review: Insights. 2025. Vol. 7(1): 90–106.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Rozendaal, R., & Vollebergh, H. Policy-induced innovation in clean technologies: Evidence from the car market. Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, University of Chicago Press. 2025. Vol. 12(3): 565-598.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Johnson, D. Fueling Innovation: The Impact of Oil Prices and CAFE Standards on Energy-Efficient Automotive Technology. The Energy Journal. 2010. Vol. 31(1): 199-216.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jaffe, A. B., Newell, R. G., Stavins, R. N. A Tale of Two Market Failures: Technology and Environmental Policy. Ecological Economics. 2005. Vol. 54(2): 164-174.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Aldieri, L., Carlucci, F., Vinci, C. P., & Yigitcanlar, T. Environmental innovation, knowledge spillovers and policy implications: A systematic review of the economic effects literature. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2019. 239: 118051.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hsieh, Transition to Electric Vehicles in China: Implications for Private Motorization Rate and battery market, Energy Policy. 2020.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hsieh, I.L., Pan, M.S., Green, W.H. Transition to electric vehicles in China: Implications for private motorization rate and battery market. Energy Policy. 2020. Vol. 144: 111654.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Schulz-Mönninghoff, M., Niero, M., Rehmann, L.M., Georg, S. Exploration of decision-contexts for circular economy in automotive industry. Procedia CIRP. 2021. Vol. 98 (1): 19-24.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bushnell, J., Muehlegger, E., Rapson, D. Energy Prices and Electric Vehicle Adoption. SSRN Electronic Journal. 2022.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Knittel, C. R. Automobiles on Steroids: Product Attribute Trade-Offs and Technological Progress in the Automobile Sector. American Economic Review. 2009. Vol. 101(7): 3368-99.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ziegler, M. S., Song, J., & Trancik, J. E. Determinants of lithium-ion battery technology cost decline. Energy & Environmental Science. 2021. Vol. 14(12): 6074-6098.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Slattery, M.; Dunn, J.; Kendall, A. Transportation of Electric Vehicle Lithium-Ion Batteries at End-of-Life: A Literature Review. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2021. Vol. 174(3): 105755.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Blömeke, S., Mennenga, M., Herrmann, C., Nippraschk, M., Goldmann, D., Kintscher, L., Bikker, G., Poschmann, H., Brüggemann, H., Lawrenz, S., Sharma, P., Rausch, A., Scheller, C. Recycling 4.0 An Integrated Approach Towards an Advanced Circular Economy. International Conference on ICT for Sustainability. 2020. DOI:10.1145/3401335.3401666.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Alamerew, Y. A., Brissaud, D. Modelling Reverse Supply Chain through System Dynamics for Realizing the Transition towards the Circular Economy: A Case Study on Electric Vehicle Batteries. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2020. Vol. 254: 1-12.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Dugoua, E., Dumas, M. Coordination dynamics between fuel cell and battery technologies in the transition to clean cars. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 2024. Vol. 121(27): e2318605121.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Boscoianu, M., Pop, S., Iagaru, P Cioca, L.-I., Iagaru, R., Petre, I. An Innovative Management Framework for Smart Horticulture—The Integration of Hype Cycle Paradigm. Drones. 2024 Vol. 8(7): 1-17.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Boșcoianu, M., Toth, Z., Goga, A.-S. Sustainable Strategies to Reduce Logistics Costs Based on Cross-Docking—The Case of Emerging European Markets. Sustainability. 2025. Vol. 17(14): 6471.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Toth, Z., Goga, A., Boscoianu, M. AI Integration in Fundamental Logistics Components: Advanced Theoretical Framework for Knowledge Process Capabilities and Dynamic Capabilities Hybridization. Logistics. 2025. Vol. 9(4): 140.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Xia, X., Li, P. A review of the life cycle assessment of electric vehicles: Considering the influence of batteries. Science of The Total Environment. 2022. Vol. 814(1): 152870.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Martins, L., Fonseca Guimarães, L., Botelho Junior, A., Tenório, J., Espinosa, D. Electric car battery: An overview on global demand, recycling and future approaches towards sustainability. Journal of Environmental Management. 2021. Vol. 295(350): 113091.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/kbo-2026-0064 | Journal eISSN: 2451-3113 (formerly 1843-6722) | Journal ISSN: 1843-6722

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Page range: 1 - 7

Published on: Jul 5, 2026

Published by: Nicolae Balcescu Land Forces Academy

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 3 issues per year

Keywords:

internal combustion engine (ICE),

electric vehicles (EVs),

ICE-EV green transitions,

sustainability,

Circular Economy Strategies (CES)

Related subjects:

Business and economics,

Business management,

Management, organization, corporate governance,

Engineering,

Introductions and overviews,

Law,

© 2026 Mircea Boşcoianu, Ciprian Cusutură, Andrada Runceanu, published by Nicolae Balcescu Land Forces Academy
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 32 (2026): Issue 3 (June 2026)