ENERGY STORAGE WITH SECOND LIFE EV BATTERIES! VOLVO GROUP PARTNERS WITH CONNECTED ENERGY | EPISODE 120

EV Channels Review

This episode of the Out of Spec Podcast delves into the burgeoning field of second-life EV batteries, focusing on the partnership between Volvo Group and Connected Energy. The discussion highlights the potential for repurposing used EV batteries, particularly from Volvo's commercial vehicles like trucks and construction equipment, for Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS). Key benefits explored include grid stabilization, peak shaving at charging hubs, and environmental advantages over immediate recycling. A significant point of discussion revolves around the health of these batteries when retired from their primary use, with an average of 80% health cited, though questions remain about acceptable degradation levels in industrial applications and the challenges of pricing and cell balancing for variable-capacity battery packs. The hosts also touch upon the slower-than-expected degradation of EV batteries, impacting the immediate supply for second-life applications, and compare reuse versus recycling strategies. Potential customers for these BESS units include DC fast-charging networks like Electrify America and EVgo, seeking to enhance sustainability and grid management.