Batteries in EVs can outlive the useful life of electric vehicles. But still have 80% of their power when their vehicles are ready for scrapping. Hence the batteries themselves still hold real value, and can repurpose to second lives. The power of second life EV batteries is also an opportunity to reduce the net cost of the vehicle to the owner.
Second Life EV Batteries Have Powerful New Roles
The rechargeable residual power in an EV battery can easily be harvested by using it as a charging hub. Or for storing renewable energy from solar panels. This not only saves the owner money. It also avoids the need for new batteries for those roles.
And furthermore, as Lanoticia Digital points out, this could potentially accelerate the move towards a larger green auto market. Because a used electric vehicle is suddenly worth more in terms of resale value.
In addition, we ought to acknowledge that recovering valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries is still in its infancy, with numerous used EV batteries accumulating in warehouses.
On that basis we could justifiably argue that repurposing them is not an option, we simply have to do it.
The Powerful Second Lives of EV Batteries
The University of Tennessee Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, is partnering to help release the power of second life EV batteries, in Nissan electric vehicles.
The project uses the circular process model in our introductory image. EV batteries gradually lose their ability to charge fully over time. When a battery’s performance is no longer ideal for use in a vehicle, the battery is due for replacement.
These used batteries then have an opportunity to be repurposed in other long-life applications. They could find a new home in a grid or domestic applications, and make it easier for renewable energy users to connect to electricity beyond.
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