Exploring the determinants of power battery recycling intention of electric vehicle owners in China: Environmental knowledge as a moderator

As China leads global electric vehicle (EV) adoption, the surge in retired power batteries raises environmental and resource recovery concerns. This study integrates the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Valence Theory (VT) to examine key factors influencing EV owners’ formal recycling intention for power batteries (PBTs). A structural model is tested using PLS-SEM on survey data from 624 EV owners with over four years of ownership. Results confirm that recycling attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly shape recycling intention. Perceived benefit enhances recycling attitude but does not directly influence intention, while perceived risk negatively affects both. Environmental knowledge moderates and strengthens the effects of TPB components on recycling intention, highlighting its critical role. Additionally, environmental concern indirectly influences intention through recycling attitude. Among contextual factors, economic incentives significantly boost recycling intention, while policy incentives do not. These findings reveal the complex interplay of motivational, evaluative, and contextual drivers in shaping recycling behavior. Theoretically, this study contributes by integrating TPB and VT, extending the model with environmental knowledge as a moderator and attitude as a mediator. Practically, the results offer actionable strategies for policymakers and industry stakeholders—emphasizing the need to address risk perceptions, enhance recycling convenience, provide financial incentives, and strengthen public knowledge. By targeting long-term EV users, the study offers timely insights into promoting sustainable battery recycling practices in China and beyond.