<p>This study aims to improve the recycling efficiency of electric vehicle power batteries and reduce the risk of heavy metal pollution. To this end, we introduce a reward-and-penalty strategy (RPS) and combine it with 5G-enabled technology (i.e., RPS-5G) to establish an algorithm for improving the efficiency of power battery recycling. Considering the value of statistical life (VSL), a heavy metal pollution risk-assessment method based on VSL-RPS-5G is proposed. On this basis, we construct a heavy metal pollution control model for electric vehicle power batteries. Through simulation comparisons, we find the following: RPS-5G can significantly reduce the risk of heavy metal pollution and the life value of population death. Compared with the original model, the amounts of Cd/Pb/As/Cr(VI)/Hg in wheat grain are reduced by 4.9246, 0.2066, 0.0019, 0.0746, and 55.0927 tons, respectively, at the end of the simulation. Hence, RPS-5G shows significant economic and health performance. However, the effect on emission reduction is more limited; at the end of the simulation, emissions of PM_2.5, NO<i>x</i>, and SO₂ from electric vehicles are reduced by about 7.67%. This work provides a theoretical basis for the optimization of heavy metal pollution risk control strategies.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>