Vehicle Dismantling/Recycling Survey in Response to the Transformation of the Automobile Industry in ASEAN
Date:
30 May 2025Type:
Research Project ReportsTags:
Automobile industry, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), end-of-life vehicle (ELV) industry, Vehicle Dismantling, ELV disposalPrint Article:
This report is a follow-up to Vehicle Recycling in the ASEAN and Other Asian Countries, published by ERIA in 2018. Since that previous survey, notable changes have emerged in the end-of-life vehicle (ELV) industry across ASEAN Member States (AMS), driven by the rising adoption of next-generation vehicles such as electric vehicles (EVs). This shift underscores the growing urgency to address ELV disposal. In this context, the report identifies key challenges related to ELV recycling in AMS, with a particular focus on developing circular value chains for minerals used in ELVs, especially those found in EVs.
AMS are facing multiple challenges in ELV recycling. Vehicle sales continue to rise, and EVs and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are gaining popularity in the region. As a result, the volume of ELVs is expected to increase, further intensifying recycling challenges in the near future.
The report underscores the urgent need to develop laws and regulations governing ELVs and their associated ecosystems. In most AMS, the informal sector continues to dominate vehicle recycling. There is limited clarity regarding ELV flows and the responsibilities of stakeholders within the industry. Moreover, a lack of standardised disposal methods and recycling procedures contributes to environmental degradation and poses significant health risks to workers. Despite these challenges, the report also highlights ongoing good practices in the region and outlines the obstacles some AMS face in establishing authorised ELV dismantling systems.
The ERIA study team and experts developed eight key recommendations based on these findings.
