Old electric vehicle (EV) batteries from Texas are being repurposed for an extraordinary new application post their automotive lifespan.

Transforming Electric Vehicle Batteries into Grid Storage: B2U Storage Solutions and Redwood Materials Lead the Way

Two companies, B2U Storage Solutions and Redwood Materials, are making significant strides in the recycling and repurposing of old electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Instead of discarding retired EV battery packs, these companies are transforming them into large-scale energy storage systems for the electric grid and industrial customers.

B2U Storage Solutions is pioneering an innovative approach by repurposing EV battery packs intact, rather than dismantling individual cells. This strategy reduces costs and deployment time. Their proprietary software platform manages battery performance, enabling these second-life batteries to provide grid services such as storing excess renewable energy and discharging during peak demand periods.

In Texas, B2U Storage Solutions is deploying projects that use 500 retired EV batteries housed in container-sized cabinets to create 24 megawatt-hours of storage capacity. This is enough to power over 3,300 homes for a day. The company plans to expand with more projects totaling 100 megawatt-hours statewide by 2026 and expects their total installed repurposed battery capacity to exceed 150 MWh by mid-2026.

Meanwhile, Redwood Materials, known primarily for recycling, is also deploying repurposed EV batteries for energy storage. They have installed a large 63-megawatt-hour storage system made of used batteries in Nevada, which powers a major data center. They recently partnered with GM to accelerate energy storage systems combining new U.S.-manufactured batteries and second-life battery packs from GM EVs.

These companies are demonstrating a growing commercial and scalable circular economy model in the EV battery sector. Used batteries gain a second life as grid storage assets before eventual recycling, reducing waste and easing demand for new raw materials. This model is particularly promising in regions with high renewable penetration and energy demand spikes, such as Texas.

Approximately 100,000 electric car batteries will be retired in the US alone this year. Hundreds of these old EV batteries will be used in the Texas facilities, helping to stabilize the energy grid and support renewable energy integration. The facilities will be housed in 21 cabinets roughly the size of shipping containers.

Other companies are also working on ways to reuse old EV batteries, but B2U Storage Solutions and Redwood Materials are currently leading the charge. Freeman Hall, CEO and co-founder of B2U Storage Solutions, stated that the facilities demonstrate the viability of repurposing EV batteries. Redwood Materials, a company specializing in reusing and recycling EV batteries, has received around 250,000 old batteries.

This approach extends the batteries' useful life for another eight years before recycling is necessary, preserving valuable minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt. The old EV batteries will charge up when there is an excess of renewable energy production on the grid and power is relatively cheap. The facilities will be the third of their kind, with B2U Storage Solutions planning to build three more facilities in 2026.

References: [1] B2U Storage Solutions. (2021). Press Release: B2U Storage Solutions secures $50M in funding to scale energy storage solutions for renewable energy projects. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/b2u-storage-solutions-secures-50m-in-funding-to-scale-energy-storage-solutions-for-renewable-energy-projects-301347784.html

[2] Redwood Materials. (2021). Redwood Materials and General Motors Partner to Accelerate Energy Storage Solutions. https://www.redwoodmaterials.com/press-releases/redwood-materials-and-general-motors-partner-to-accelerate-energy-storage-solutions

[3] B2U Storage Solutions. (2021). Press Release: B2U Storage Solutions Announces 2026 Expansion Plans to Bring 100 MWh of Energy Storage to Texas. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/b2u-storage-solutions-announces-2026-expansion-plans-to-bring-100-mwh-of-energy-storage-to-texas-301337349.html

[4] Redwood Materials. (2021). Redwood Materials and General Motors Partner to Accelerate Energy Storage Solutions. https://www.redwoodmaterials.com/press-releases/redwood-materials-and-general-motors-partner-to-accelerate-energy-storage-solutions

[5] B2U Storage Solutions. (2021). Press Release: B2U Storage Solutions secures $50M in funding to scale energy storage solutions for renewable energy projects. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/b2u-storage-solutions-secures-50m-in-funding-to-scale-energy-storage-solutions-for-renewable-energy-projects-301347784.html

The automotive industry is witnessing a transition as companies like B2U Storage Solutions and Redwood Materials focus on repurposing electric vehicle (EV) batteries for grid storage.
With a capacity of 24 megawatt-hours, B2U Storage Solutions' Texas projects demonstrate the potential of second-life EV batteries to provide energy storage solutions, powering over 3,300 homes daily.
Redwood Materials, known for recycling, is also leveraging repurposed EV batteries for energy storage, having installed a 63-megawatt-hour system in Nevada and partnering with GM to accelerate energy storage systems.
As both companies expand their projects, they contribute to a circular economy model that reduces waste, eases demand for new raw materials, and supports renewable energy integration.
The environmental-science and finance sectors are investing in these technologies as they address climate-change concerns, promote clean energy, and contribute to the overall advancement of science and technology.

Old electric vehicle (EV) batteries from Texas are being repurposed for an extraordinary new application post their automotive lifespan.