Vehicle Dismantling Test
As part of the Autonpurkulinjasto 2.0 project, the feasibility and time-related impacts of dismantling end-of-life vehicles were examined in accordance with the European Union’s proposed Circularity Requirements for Vehicle Design and Management of End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation. The dismantling demonstration was carried out in April 2026 at Autocirc’s Nurmijärvi facility, focusing particularly on the requirements outlined in Part C of Annex VII, which specifies the components and materials that must be removed from end-of-life vehicles before shredding.
The study provides a unique practical perspective on how upcoming legislation may reshape everyday operations at vehicle dismantling facilities. By measuring and timing each stage of the process, the project identified the actual resource requirements and the most significant bottlenecks in dismantling activities. The results show that compliance with the proposed regulation is technically achievable, but it requires considerably more time, planning, and documentation than current practices.
During the demonstration, a total of 1,115 kilograms of materials and components were removed from a vehicle weighing 1,495 kilograms, including valuable critical raw materials such as copper. The research also highlights the stages of the process that place the greatest burden on operations and explores how automation, digitalization, and production-line-based solutions could enhance the implementation of circular economy principles in the future.
This report provides valuable insights for vehicle dismantling and recycling companies, policymakers, and anyone interested in advancing the circular economy. It offers a concrete view of how new regulations may affect material recovery, resource efficiency, and the wider vehicle circular economy ecosystem. Explore the study to discover what the future of vehicle recycling could look like in practice.
Dismantling demonstration research report: