https://www.mdu.se/

The large-scale electrification of transport is accelerating globally, resulting i n a g rowing in flux o f end-of-first-life batteries from electric vehicles (EVs). Repurposing these batteries into second- life battery energy storage systems (SL-BESS) offers a promising pathway to extend battery lifecycles, reduce environmental impacts, and support circular value creation. Despite significant technological progress and numerous pilot projects, the adoption of SL-BESS in scalable business practice remains limited. A key challenge lies in defining viable and context-specific value propositions that can guide actors in designing circular business models. This paper presents an explorative qualitative study examining how circular value propositions for SL-BESS can be defined and contextualized within EV charging infrastructure. Empirical data was gathered through semistructured interviews and co-creative workshops involving multiple actors in the Swedish EV ecosystem. The analysis resulted in three business scenarios: resilient energy hubs within municipalities, mobility-integrated energy for flexible and bidirectional bus charging, and circular Battery-as-a-Service solutions for industrial and mining applications. The findings indicate that while SL-BESS technologies have reached a relatively high level of maturity, business model development lags due to regulatory uncertainty, fragmented market structures, and unclear revenue and ownership arrangements. By abstracting across scenarios, the study identifies recurring patterns in how second-life batteries can function as enabling infrastructure for flexible operations, shared resource use, and industrial-societal symbiosis. The paper contributes to the circular business model literature by presenting scenario-based circular value propositions, crossscenario comparison criteria, and strategic patterns that can support actors in positioning themselves within emerging markets for circular energy storage and charging infrastructure.