Shaping the future of electric vehicle battery recycling: a social media analysis of stakeholder reactions to EU battery management policy

The rapid expansion of global electric vehicle production has resulted in a growing volume of end-of-life batteries, generating significant environmental and economic challenges and creating an urgent demand for effective recycling solutions. Although the technical processes and impacts of battery recycling are well studied, less is known about how policies – key drivers of recycling initiatives, shape interactions among stakeholders across the value chain. This study applies signalling theory to investigate the role of policy in influencing electric vehicle battery recycling. Focusing on the European Union’s Regulation Concerning Batteries and Waste Batteries (EU) 2023/1542, we analyze 3,186 posts from Sina Weibo, China’s largest social media platform, to assess stakeholder responses. The analysis identifies four major themes: supply chain, technology, battery passports, and information management, and reveals stakeholders generally expressed positive sentiments toward regulatory progress, industry growth, and market opportunities, while raising concerns about export restrictions, environmental sustainability, and economic pressures. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of policy-driven transitions in battery recycling and offer strategic insights for policymakers and industry leaders aiming to strengthen battery management frameworks and promote a sustainable recycling ecosystem.