Towards a Circular Automotive Industry: A Scoping Review

The transition towards a circular economy (CE) has emerged as a key strategy for promoting sustainable development, particularly in resource-intensive industries. Representing such an industry, the automotive sector offers substantial CE potential. However, its practical implementation remains fragmented, and the theoretical discourse lacks consistency. This study addresses these gaps through a scoping review. The analysis first identifies key industry-specific research gaps in the CE transition. A subsequent evaluation of practical case studies reveals significant heterogeneity in the implementation of circular practices across companies and value chain positions. In addition, the summary of recommendations from the existing literature provides a structured overview of necessary measures in the areas of management, research, and policy. The results indicate a strong concentration on two CE-related areas: electric vehicle (EV) batteries and recycling strategies, while higher-value circular strategies remain underrepresented. Moreover, the maturity of circular practices varies considerably across value chain actors, with suppliers in particular lagging behind OEMs and downstream actors. Based on these findings, the study critically discusses the roles of industry, research institutions, and policymakers in enabling a more comprehensive and systemic transition towards circularity in the automotive sector. By systematically linking theoretical developments, empirical evidence, and stakeholder-specific implications, the study advances the field of automotive-related CE research.