Navigating the Electric Vehicle Sustainability Paradox: The Pivotal Role of Corporate Waste Management Disclosure

Abstract

The global transition of world transportation to electric vehicles (EVs) is central to decarbonising transport, however, it is fraught with an inherent sustainability paradox. The paradox lies in the tension between the clear operational benefits of zero tailpipe emissions and the significant, often hidden, environmental burdens embedded within EV lifecycle. The EV lifecycle which involves from intensive mining of critical minerals to the burgeoning challenge of end-f-life battery waste. This academic overview argues that robust Corporate Waste Management Disclosure (CWMD) is a critical mechanism for navigating this complex trade-off. The CWMD could navigate the paradox by mandating transparent and quantifiable reporting on waste streams across the entire value chain. The CWMD moves the industry beyond a narrow focus om use-phase emission. It enhances transparency for stakeholders, enables greater producer accountability for full lifecycle impacts, and drives innovation in circular economy strategies, such as recycling and second-life applications. Ultimately, this study suggests that comprehensive waste disclosure is not merely compliance exercise. comprehensive waste disclosure should also act as a foundation for resolving the EV sustainability paradox. Which it will foster a transition that is truly sustainable from resource extraction to final disposal.