Research on Closed-Loop Supply Chain Pricing and Profit Distribution of Power Battery Echelon Utilization Based on Noncooperative–Cooperative Biform Game

As the popularity of new energy vehicles (NEVs) increases, the issue of recycling and reusing retired power batteries (PBs) has become increasingly prominent. Echelon utilization has attracted considerable attention as an effective approach to managing retired PBs. Considering the echelon utilization by power battery manufacturers (PBMs), this paper constructs a noncooperative–cooperative biform game model for a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) comprising two vehicle manufacturers (VMs) and one PBM. The main objectives are to analyze member strategies and optimize profit distribution, as well as to examine the impact of critical parameters on optimal decision-making and profitability using numerical simulation techniques. The results indicate that increasing the echelon utilization rate enhances the overall efficiency of the supply chain and motivates participants to undertake more recycling responsibilities, thereby benefiting the socio-ecological environment. Nevertheless, not all supply chain participants reap the cost benefits of product remanufacturing, while the expenses and difficulties associated with recycling waste PBs pose disadvantages for all. Therefore, supply chain members can collaborate to jointly develop products and recycling technologies, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and overall competitiveness.