BMW and Mini UK have announced a solution to repurpose their used EV batteries as mobile power and fast charging units.
Partnering with energy storage company Off Grid Energy, the collaboration has created a prototype unit powered by lithium-ion battery modules extracted from a Mini Electric development vehicle. It has a 40kWh capacity delivering a 7.2kW fast charge and will be used at BMW and MINI UK events over the next year.
According to BWM Group, its EV battery has a warranty of eight years or 10,000 miles but even after this time can retain up to 80% of its initial capacity. Therefore, the battery can have a ‘secondary use’, for example as a mobile power source even when it is no longer at an optimum level for use in a car.
As more battery modules become available, the partnership aims to develop systems with a capacity of up to 180kWH that can provide multiple charges at rates of up to 50kW.
Off Grid Energy said it hopes these units will replace current ways of generating temporary power, which in turn could reduce CO2 emissions.
Janene Dooler, managing Director Off Grid Energy, said: “Our relationship with BMW is of key strategic importance and propels the business into an entirely new phase, enabling us to continue to improve the sustainability impact and cost benefit of our technology.
“With Stage V emissions standards and the looming end of red diesel, growth in demand for what we do is on an exponential trajectory. The impact our technology has on sustainability and the objectives of BMW Group couldn’t be more compatible.”
