JLR presents second-life storage from PHEV batteries

Together with the energy storage start-up Allye Energy, JLR is offering a portable battery system with used batteries from its plug-in hybrids. The system, called Allye MAX BESS, is to be used with second-life batteries as buffer storage for fast-charging stations.

Seven second-life battery packs from Range Rover and Range Rover Sport PHEV vehicles with a total capacity of 270 kWh are installed in a storage system. In this case, “portable” means that the buffer battery can be transported to the place of use on a car trailer – a two-axle vehicle can be seen in the press photo.

JLR states that the battery packs can be removed from the vehicles “and inserted into customised racks without unnecessary additional processing”. The energy stored in the seven batteries can then be used to supply a connected CCS charging station with power. The entire system can either be operated off-grid (until the batteries are empty) or connected to renewable energy or the power grid via the “multi-input connectivity”. This means that an Allye MAX BESS can also be used as a stationary storage unit to operate DC fast chargers with an AC grid connection – or exclusively with temporarily stored energy from renewable sources.

JLR itself intends to use such a system in the upcoming test drives of the Range Rover Electric, which will be unveiled later this year. The MAX BESS is intended to replace a diesel generator, which was previously used in the automotive industry to ensure off-grid charging of test vehicles or during product launches in remote areas. As a diesel generator consumes 16 litres per hour according to JLR, 129 kilograms of CO2 are emitted or will be saved in the future if used for three hours a day. As JLR intends to use the second-life storage system for more than 1,000 hours, this should result in an annual saving of over 15 tonnes of CO2.

“Our Reimagine strategy is all about shifting our mindset to consider circular over linear business models. This battery innovation and partnership with Allye demonstrates the value we can create from repurposing and reusing batteries, such as from our Range Rover vehicles,” says Francois Dossa, Managing Director of Strategy and Sustainability at JLR. “We are creating new value from a used commodity that would otherwise go directly to recycling, keeping them in use for longer, and providing innovative renewable energy storage solutions.”

“Our collaboration with JLR exemplifies a shared commitment to sustainable innovation, driving us closer to a future powered by clean energy solutions,” added Allye CEO Jonathan Träger. “The deployment of Range Rover PHEV batteries in the MAX underscores Allye’s agnostic approach to integrating batteries from different models, of different states of health (SoH), and cell chemistries to maximize efficiency and sustainability. The Allye team is grateful to Andrew Whitworth, and Battery Business Unit team at JLR, for their commitment to closed-loop battery innovation.”

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