CEVA Logistics charts new path for EV battery reverse logistics across Europe
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CEVA Logistics has unveiled a full-scale reverse logistics service for end-of-life electric vehicle batteries across Europe. The plan aims to handle up to 80 percent of European battery volumes by 2030 and is underpinned by a phased rollout of Battery Logistics Centers in multiple countries.
The company will anchor these centers within its existing finished vehicle logistics hubs, with the first facilities planned in France, the United Kingdom and Spain by the end of this year. Further expansion is planned in Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Czechia through 2026 and 2027. Each center will include secure, climate-controlled storage, diagnostic and dismantling workshops, and systems for traceability of each battery.
A three-pillar strategy to reverse battery flow
CEVA’s approach rests on three strategic elements. First is pan-European battery collection and transport, drawing on its existing ADR-compliant fleet and storage infrastructure. Second is the deployment of value-added services within its logistics centers. These include battery diagnostics, dismantling, deep discharge, regeneration or reconditioning to maximize the chances of reuse before disposal.
The third element is digital. Each battery will be tracked in real time, allowing traceability from collection point to recycling or reuse destination. This transparent process is designed to meet increasing regulatory demands across the EU, including those targeting the safe handling and documentation of hazardous waste and recyclable components.
By integrating these functions, CEVA is positioning itself not only as a carrier but as a value recovery enabler. The logistics network it is developing allows for a modular approach to battery lifecycle management across multiple national boundaries.
Logistics and transport are facing structural change
The impact of this shift reaches beyond CEVA’s operations. As battery electrification becomes more widespread, the logistics sector must adapt to entirely new flows of materials. These flows are hazardous, regulated and often require urgent movement to avoid safety risks.
Reverse logistics for EV batteries introduces new infrastructure demands. Warehouses must be fitted with fire containment, temperature regulation and 24-hour monitoring. Drivers must be trained in handling dangerous goods. Vehicles must meet ADR requirements.
For carriers and third-party logistics providers, the question is no longer if reverse logistics should be integrated but how quickly and to what extent. A growing number of car manufacturers are seeking logistics partners that can not only transport finished vehicles but also recover, assess and channel batteries into second-life use or responsible disposal.
This dynamic is shifting procurement criteria in transport contracts. It also creates space for new services, alliances and innovations. CEVA’s early investments may allow it to set benchmarks for safety, transparency and operational readiness.
A competitive and complex market is taking shape
Several logistics and recycling players are entering the EV battery ecosystem. DHL has partnered with Fortum Battery Recycling to manage cross-border battery flows. Others, such as Rhenus and DB Schenker, have launched pilot programs for reverse battery transport and disposal.
The competition reflects not only commercial opportunity but also regulatory momentum. The European Union’s Battery Regulation, which comes into effect in stages, mandates strict tracking, minimum recovery thresholds and extended producer responsibility.
These rules are likely to increase the costs of non-compliance while rewarding firms with pre-established systems for traceability and reuse. Logistics players who can demonstrate audited, compliant reverse operations may gain strategic advantage in winning automotive partnerships.
CEVA’s own strategy seems to rely on the reuse of existing real estate and vehicle assets, making its model more scalable than building facilities from scratch. Its Ghislenghien, Belgium pilot site has been operational since 2022 and is now serving as a template for the next phase of its expansion.
Looking ahead to a new standard in battery flows
Whether CEVA can meet its target of addressing 80 percent of European battery volumes depends on a number of variables. The volume of decommissioned batteries is expected to rise sharply, with some estimates projecting more than eight million units reaching end-of-life within five years.
Capacity, safety, technology and local regulation will all affect the pace of rollout. But the need for such networks is undisputed. Vehicle electrification is now entering a maturity phase where early EV batteries are reaching their end of service.
The response from logistics firms is a bellwether of broader industrial change. Reverse logistics is no longer peripheral. It is becoming a core function of modern transport ecosystems.
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