Hyundai Motor Group is giving old electric vehicle (EV) batteries a 'second life.' Although their performance has declined for vehicle operation, these batteries still hold value and will be repurposed for use in energy storage systems (ESS). This initiative comes nearly five years after the launch of the group's dedicated electric vehicle platform, E-GMP.
On September 10, Hyundai Motor and Kia, in collaboration with LG Energy Solution, Hyundai Engineering, and Wonik P&E, held an event at Wonik P&E's Dongtan facility in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, to kick off a project validating a next-generation ESS business model using used batteries.
The Used Battery Energy Storage System (UBESS) is designed to repurpose batteries that have been used in electric vehicles before they are discarded or recycled. The goal is to extend the lifespan of batteries that still maintain a certain level of performance by reusing them for energy storage.
The demonstration facility has a total capacity of 200 kWh. Hyundai Motor Group plans to operate it in conjunction with fast chargers for electric vehicles, storing electricity during off-peak hours when rates are lower and using the stored power to charge vehicles during peak hours when rates are higher.
This demonstration marks the first domestic case of utilizing used battery packs from vehicles based on Hyundai Motor Group's dedicated electric vehicle platform, E-GMP. The group unveiled E-GMP in December 2020 and began launching dedicated electric vehicles into the market starting with the Ioniq 5 in 2021.
Hyundai Motor and Kia will be responsible for verifying technologies and developing business models for the safe and efficient use of used batteries. LG Energy Solution will manufacture the ESS using the used battery packs provided by Hyundai Motor and Kia, supporting the verification of system performance and safety through battery diagnostics and operational technology.
Hyundai Engineering will explore the feasibility of business performance and the integration of charging infrastructure based on its experience in operating electric vehicle charging systems. Wonik P&E will handle facility operation and technology verification, leveraging its capabilities in manufacturing electric vehicle chargers and building infrastructure.
As the adoption of electric vehicles expands in South Korea, finding ways to reuse batteries after a certain period of use has become a key issue in the domestic automotive market. This demonstration is necessary to validate the reuse of products with remaining performance and safety from batteries separated from electric vehicles.
In the future, the five companies will comprehensively verify charging and discharging control algorithms, system safety and reliability, battery performance maintenance characteristics, charging service quality, and operational efficiency. Through this, they aim to confirm the reuse potential of used batteries and develop business models for establishing a circular economy for batteries.
A Hyundai Motor representative stated, "This initiative aims to give used batteries, which have diminished performance for vehicle operation, a second life as energy storage systems. Rather than immediately replacing the existing ESS market, we will continuously validate the potential for utilizing used batteries through this demonstration."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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