Geotab Study On EV batteries Underscores Second Life Potential

Battery degradation is a natural process that reduces the amount of energy a battery can store or the power it can deliver. In electric vehicles (EVs), however, power degradation is rarely noticeable because the battery’s power output often exceeds the vehicle’s requirements, as found in a research paper by Geotab, a global market transportation solutions provider.

Instead, the energy storage capacity, measured as the battery’s State of Health (SOH), becomes the key determinant of its usability. For example, a 60 kWh battery with 90% SOH effectively functions as a 54 kWh battery. While this may not meet the rigorous demands of EVs, it leaves significant potential for other applications, the paper elaborated.

Research Insights: Safer and Longer-Lasting Batteries for Extended Use

The viability of second-life batteries depends on their safety, stability, and remaining capacity. Research into advanced lithium-ion battery (LIB) materials, such as Wadsley–Roth phase oxides like TiNb2O7 (TNO), is crucial in this regard. These materials offer higher operating potentials and improved thermal stability, reducing the risks of fire and short circuits common in conventional LIBs with carbon-negative electrodes.

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Recent studies have focused on the atomic structure and network topology of TNO to optimize its performance as a negative electrode material. Researchers demonstrated that by refining the network structure through processes like ball-milling and heat treatment, they could enhance the battery’s charging and discharging properties. This optimization not only makes LIBs safer and more efficient in their first life but also ensures they retain significant capacity and stability for second-life applications.

A Seamless Transition: First Life to Second Life

The relationship between safer, higher-performance first-life batteries and effective second-life applications is symbiotic. Innovations like TNO-based electrodes address critical challenges in LIBs during their primary use, including thermal stability and degradation. This directly impacts the viability of these batteries for second-life uses, as they retain more capacity and remain safer to operate.

For example, the advanced LIBs developed through research into materials like TNO could eventually power EVs with improved safety and longevity. When these batteries reach the end of their automotive lifecycle, their optimized performance and retained capacity make them ideal candidates for reuse in industrial systems like uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) or renewable energy storage.

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Second-Life Batteries: Driving Sustainability

This concept of second-life batteries unlocks opportunities to repurpose EV batteries for less demanding uses. Once retired from EVs, these batteries can be deployed in industrial and commercial energy storage systems, offering cost-effective, sustainable solutions while minimizing waste. India’s first high-voltage second-life battery system, “Project Revive,” led by MG Motor and Vision Mechatronics, exemplifies this potential. These batteries are repurposed for industrial energy storage, and equipped with an indigenous Battery Management System (BMS) and active balancing technology to ensure safety and efficiency.

Projects like “Project Revive” illustrate the practical benefits of second-life batteries. By repurposing EV batteries for industrial applications, companies are not only reducing costs but also contributing to the transition toward cleaner energy systems. As Rashi Gupta, Managing Director of Vision Mechatronics, highlights, the second-life battery market is a “sweet spot” between the production of new battery packs and EV usage, with immense potential for growth in the commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors.

When combined with research into advanced LIB materials, these efforts underscore a powerful message: batteries have a life beyond their initial usage. By maximizing their utility across multiple applications, the energy storage ecosystem becomes more sustainable, efficient, and aligned with global goals for renewable energy and carbon neutrality.

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