A blockchain-based framework for circular end-of-life vehicle processing

Abstract

The transition of the automotive industry to a circular economy (CE) is related to the significant environmental and social impacts of its products, which are resource-intensive in terms of materials and energy, both in the production and usage phases, as well as in their end-of-life. A blockchain provides a transparent, secure, and accessible information network by providing a decentralized ledger where materials can be traced to their sources. This paper investigates blockchain as a promising technology for the facilitation of a CE transition in the automotive industry. While there is considerable conceptual and theoretical research on this blockchain-based transition, this study is the first to propose a blockchain-based framework for improving the traceability and efficiency of end-of-life vehicle (ELV) processing, called ELVTrac. The suggested architecture is built on circular economy principles, blockchain technology, and smart contracts. The architecture incorporates the various stakeholders involved in and the smart contracts that orchestrate their tasks. Thus, we develop a prototype using the Ethereum blockchain to prove its feasibility and conduct experiments and tests to evaluate its performance.