Vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions of the global electric vehicle lithium-ion battery supply chain network

In the rapidly expanding global electric vehicle lithium-ion battery supply chain network (EV LIB SCN), intricate intercontinental and interrelated connections render it susceptible to geopolitical disturbances. The complex supplier-buyer dynamics within this network facilitate the propagation of disruptions, complicating the identification and evaluation of the consequences of geopolitical disruptions. Existing recommendations, grounded in macro-level material flow data, offer limited guidance for EV LIB-associated enterprises in managing such disruptions. To address this gap, this study constructs a meso-level EV LIB SCN incorporating realistic supplier-buyer relationship data among relevant firms. A supply chain network vulnerability (SCNV) index has been designed to quantify the disruption impact. Furthermore, a geopolitical disruption diffusion (GDD) model has been developed to simulate the disruption propagation in two distinct scenarios, i.e., single-region blockade and inter-region blockade. This study broadens the scope of EV LIB SCN investigations from macro- to meso-level analyses, and the evaluation of both direct and indirect impacts of geopolitical disruptions enhances comprehension of geopolitical disruption risks in global supply chain networks.