MG Motor India, LOHUM develop 5 kWh BESS as second life EV battery solution

Carmaker MG Motor India has joined forces with LOHUM, India's largest producer of sustainable energy transition materials, to establish a comprehensive ecosystem for the reuse and life cycle management of EV batteries. 

Under the collaboration, LOHUM will reuse end-of-first-life batteries of MG electric cars to build sustainable second-life Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for a wide variety of clean energy applications in India's urban and rural landscape, according to the company. 

The partners seek to develop the concept of second-life solutions for batteries, ensuring their efficient utilization and contributing to the circular economy. The project will harness the potential of used batteries by repurposing them as BESS, effectively extending their life cycle and optimizing resource usage, they claim. 

The first offering in this line is a fully-off-Grid 5 kWh BESS that can provide uninterrupted power supply even in regions with unreliable grid infrastructure.

Rajeev Chaba, CEO Emeritus, MG Motor India, spoke on the partnership, "At MG, we have always believed in fostering innovation and sustainability. BESS hold immense potential to revolutionize India's energy landscape, with their versatile applications, affordability, and undeniable support for local communities. Through this India can unlock a future where clean, reliable, and low-cost energy storage becomes a reality, empowering communities, households, and entire rural areas alike while driving sustainable development and energy independence for the nation". 

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Chaba further added," Our collaboration with LOHUM allows us to take a significant move forward in our commitment to sustainable mobility. By repurposing used batteries of our EV models, we not only extend their life cycle but also enable the delivery of power to essential community centres. The clear need of the hour is a safe, viable and enduring supply of clean energy, and this strategic partnership is a step towards the same."

LOHUM's proprietary repurposing technology will be used to maximize the potential of cells before recycling, utilizing healthy cells high on Remaining Useful Life (RUL) to build sustainable 2nd-life BESS for a wide variety of clean energy applications, the company has added.

Rajat Verma, Founder and CEO of LOHUM, shared his perspective on the partnership, saying, "LOHUM is delighted to join hands with MG Motor India in this pioneering endeavour. Through our expertise in battery material recycling and low-carbon refining, we will play a pivotal role in ensuring the efficient utilization of MG's EV batteries". 

"By repurposing these batteries as BESS, we contribute to making the clean energy transition circular and address the critical need for reliable power supply in community centres. This collaboration represents a significant step towards sustainable development and underscores our commitment to creating a greener future", he added.