Environmental sustainability integrated supplier selection in electric vehicle supply chains: a grey relational analysis approach

Industries are becoming more concerned about the environmental implications of business operations because of rising government regulations, enhanced public awareness, and pressure on consumers. Sustainable supply chain management requires screening suppliers based on the environmental performance of their operations and ensuring that they adhere to certain environmental legislation or criteria. Therefore, This research work identified seventeen factors that the manufacturer should consider in selecting suppliers for environmental sustainability (ES) of the electric vehicle supply chain (EVSC). This study has also identified the best supplier from the set of five alternative suppliers through the grey relational approach. Using the grey possibility values, upper management may compare where they now stand with their potential suppliers. In this regard, the fourth supplier is the best in this case, and the third supplier is the least preferred regarding their environmental sustainability capabilities. The fourth supplier has been given a very good to excellent (EX) rating in most of the environmental sustainability capabilities by the supply chain analyst. Supplier \({\mathbf{S}}_{4}\) ${\mathbf{S}}_4$ is good in almost all the environmental sustainability parameters in EVSC. Supplier \({\mathbf{S}}_{4}\) ${\mathbf{S}}_4$ has used less resources, measured in the form of raw materials, energy, and water usage. The supplier has worked toward cutting down on the overall quantity of raw material included in electric vehicle batteries by utilizing recent technological advances. The second supplier's grey possibility value is very close to the fourth supplier so that the second supplier will be the best choice after the fourth one. Results are further validated through the implementation of a sensitivity analysis. The suggested study’s findings might be helpful to policymakers, industries, and stakeholders in developing a strategic supplier selection model for electric vehicle supply chains.