Charging Forward with EV Battery Reuse Innovation

Dec 15, 2023
3 MIN READ

It’s hard to avoid immediately thinking about batteries when contemplating the EV revolution. After all, they are the future that will power transportation. Whether it is mining for key minerals to make them, managing their complex supply chain or charging them once they’re in a vehicle, batteries are at the center of it all.

Millions more electric cars, trucks and vans will soon hit roads globally. As exciting as that future will be, everyone from regulators to environmentalists to energy providers is asking is what to do with existing batteries after their in-vehicle life ends. 

Battery Recycling Click to Enlarge

Battery Recycling is a priority, but…

While Ford has a responsible plan for EV battery recycling, you may be surprised to learn that we have an entire team dedicated to finding ways we can continue to extract the most value and use possible from these incredibly powerful batteries. By giving a second life to these EV batteries both within Ford operations as well as externally in the marketplace not only supports our sustainability aspirations but also could one day present new business and revenue opportunities.

“Electric vehicles and the batteries that power them are delivering energy management innovation in ways our customers could never imagine with gas-powered vehicles,” said Marin Gjaja, Chief Operating Officer, Ford Model e. “Our team is identifying creative, real-world case studies to reuse electric vehicle batteries to power facilities, store energy and even charge other EVs, maximizing their life span and delivering sustainable power solutions to support customers and businesses.”

“Electric vehicle batteries have the capability to live on well beyond their years in a car or truck, providing environmental, financial and community benefits through creative reuse applications,” said Pradeep Jaiswal, Ford’s Director of EV After Sales Strategy and Operations. “The future here is bright. Our team is not only researching and testing multiple innovative use cases, but we are actively deploying second-life EV battery solutions with key business partners and throughout our own business operations.”

 

As the work grows, so do the learnings

Work with Ford dealers, external suppliers, technology leaders and the CX Charging Group has helped evolve early strategies to become much more efficient and viable. New use cases are being thought of every day with the knowledge that these second life batteries can be used with minimal degradation, can save money and potentially support electrical grid resiliency via a wide array of energy storage applications. Additionally, these initiatives can help support Ford’s own customer service and operational needs.

“We are moving beyond research and development to work directly with business leaders and partners who are in critical need for the energy storage and recharging solutions our EV batteries can confidently supply,” said Marc Liskey, EV Customer Service Engineering Manager at Ford. “Our in-depth technical testing and research shows incredibly strong resiliency in EV battery functionality, providing us with essentially limitless potential to help provide energy solutions to businesses, communities and consumers.”

The potential for EV battery reuse is not only exciting, but necessary. Ford is already identifying and applying real-world use cases that have the potential to help businesses, utilities, government and even everyday consumers. The future for electric vehicles is incredibly bright, but the power behind them has potential to shine well beyond the automotive industry, and Ford will be leading that charge.

"WATT" ARE THE POSSIBILITIES