Electric vehicle (EV) batteries, i.e., currently almost exclusively lithium-ion batteries, are removed from the vehicle once they no longer meet certain requirements. However, instead of being disposed of or recycled, the removed batteries can be used in another, less demanding application, giving them a “second life”. Research in the field of second-life batteries (SLBs) is still at an early stage and, to better understand the “second life” concept and the related challenges, potential second-life applications need to be identified first. Using a detailed study of the scientific literature and an interview with field experts, a list of potential second-life applications was drafted. Afterwards, a technical, economic, and legal evaluation was conducted to identify the most promising options. The findings of this research consisted of the identification of 65 different mobile, semi-stationary and stationary second-life applications; the applications selected as most promising are automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and industrial energy storage systems (ESSs) with renewable firming purposes. This research confirms the great potential of SLBs indicating that second-life applications are many and belong to a broad spectrum of different sectors. The applications identified as most promising are particularly attractive for the second-life use of batteries as they belong to fast-growing markets.

This perspective provides a multidisciplinary assessment of the use of lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles (EVs) for second-life applications, motivated by the need to improve resource efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and support a circular battery economy. Second-life deployment requires the integrated consideration of technical performance, legal compliance, and economic viability. The analysis combines a technical evaluation of battery aging mechanisms, operational load effects, and qualification strategies with a legal assessment of the EU Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and an economic analysis of market potential and business models (BM). From a technical perspective, the limitations of State of Health (SOH) as a standalone indicator are demonstrated, highlighting the need for multiple health indicators and degradation-aware qualification. A scalable two-step qualification approach, combining qualitative inspection with a standardized quantitative measurement protocol, is discussed. From a legal perspective, regulatory requirements and barriers related to repurposing, waste classification, and conformity assessment are analyzed. From an economic perspective, business model patterns and market dynamics are evaluated, identifying Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and industrial Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) for renewable firming as particularly promising applications. The paper concludes with recommendations for action and key research needs to enable safe, economically viable, and legally compliant second-life deployment.

Understanding public acceptance is pivotal for integrating automated cars (AC) and shared mobility services (SMS) into mobility systems. This paper presents a holistic framework and demonstrates its application based on a dataset (N = 419; EU-focused sub-sample N = 289) originating from an online survey, capturing metrics like socio-demographics, mobility habits, and perceptions. Acceptance was measured as willingness to use (WTU), and links to willingness to pay (WTP) were examined. A two-stage approach was conducted: non-parametric screening (Chi-square, Spearman’s rank correlation) and proportional-odds ordinal logistic models. Results show that 25.6% would likely use AC and 21.1% would use SMS. WTP for SMS is positively associated with WTU (p < 0.001), whereas WTP and WTU are not statistically related for AC. Perceived usefulness and ease of use are positively related to WTU for both AC and SMS (all p < 0.01). The acceptance of SMS correlates positively with the acceptance of AC (p < 0.001), and the preference for combining SMS with public transport (PT) is associated with higher acceptance. The ordinal logistic models confirm these patterns after adjustment, with perceptions/experience and (for SMS) pricing and PT-related variables remaining significant, while several socio-demographic effects attenuate. The cross-country results indicate modest acceptance in Austria and the UK, aligning with recent European evidence.

A business model is an essential concept for securing long-term success and competitive advantage, where technologies take on an enabling role. Without the respective technology, the business model becomes unviable. Digital technologies are well known to enable business models, and various definitions of the term digital business models and their characteristics are discussed in the existing literature. However, scholars sometimes use this term interchangeably with the term technology-based business models, although not all technologies are digital in nature. In fact, many different types of technologies other than digital ones exist. A strong theoretical foundation for digital business models is available, while the research on technology-based business models is fragmented and incomplete. This term has been used without further defining its meaning or the definitions provided are too narrow and decisive characteristics are missing. Although authors have used these two terms interchangeably, they cannot be seen as equivalent, and the definitions and characteristics of digital business models cannot be simply transferred to the concept of technology-based ones. Therefore, the absence of a holistic and comprehensive definition of the term technology-based business models in the existing literature represents a significant gap that this research seeks to address. The aim of our study was to examine how business models are based on a particular technology. We use the results of a systematic literature review and semi-structured expert interviews to construct a comprehensive definition for the term technology-based business models, and we identify the major and minor characteristics of both terms. In addition to adding to the business model literature, these findings help practitioners understand technology-based business models in more detail and how technology can enable business models to meet customers’ needs.

The transition to software-defined vehicles (SDVs) necessitates a paradigm shift in both control strategies and vehicle architecture. The EU-funded SmartCorners project addresses this challenge by developing integrated smart corner systems (SCS), which combine in-wheel motor (IWM) propulsion, brake-by-wire, active suspension actuator, and steer-by-wire functionality in a single module. These SCS are embedded within a highly adaptable skateboard chassis architecture, enabling scalable deployment across diverse vehicle platforms. The SmartCorners project targets to demonstrate significant advancements, including improvement in real-world driving range, reduction of component and system costs, an increasement in interior volume, and a development time drop of the EV systems enabled by digital-twin-based design methodologies. Beyond these performance gains, SmartCorners establishes the foundational principles of modularity, adaptability, and software integration that underpin the evolution toward SDVs. These achievements highlight a critical bridge between electrified component innovation and the holistic software-defined mobility systems of the future.

The automotive industry is turning upside down and unveiling a new reality due to (a) societal needs, such as cutting down greenhouse gas and non-exhaust emissions and reducing road fatalities, (b) the technology push through cooperative, connected and automated mobility, and increasing concerns about manufacturing costs, (c) supply chain resilience, and (d) component recyclability. This technological transition is supported by different European research programs under the 2Zero Partnership. A clear and targeted exploitation strategy grounded on a thorough understanding of the stakeholder segments is required to transform R&D into market-ready solutions, generating impact that addresses real-world challenges. This paper provides an overview of the market situation of the automotive industry, highlighting the latest trends and regulatory roadmaps in Europe. Ten EU-funded R&D projects tackle the vehicle’s electrification from several perspectives, ranging from component development to user-centric software implementations. The stakeholder segments addressed by these R&D projects are outlined, leading to enhanced stakeholder knowledge, precise addressing of their needs, and more user-centric products and/or services. Finally, the outcomes of the ten R&D projects are presented in a nutshell.