YOKOHAMA, Japan — Batteries in older Nissan Leaf electrical automobiles are getting a brand new life as transportable energy sources that can be utilized to run devices on the go or ship emergency energy in disasters.
Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. has offered greater than 650,000 Leaf EVs. Their batteries typically retain a charging capability longer than the automotive’s life span.
Nissan says it’s utilizing the outdated batteries in transportable energy sources it developed with electronics maker JVCKenwood Corp. and 4R Energy Corp., an organization co-owned by Nissan and Sumitomo Corp. which works on ecological automobiles and energy storage programs.
The 32-pound energy supply sells for 170,500 yen or about $1,170, in Japan. Overseas gross sales will not be but set.
Each Leaf makes use of 48 battery modules. The transportable energy stations comprise two modules.
Nissan officers stated they’re testing the batteries in Leafs after their homeowners cease driving them, and reusing these that may nonetheless maintain a cost.
EV batteries use costly uncommon metals and different uncooked supplies, and their manufacture produces carbon gases, so reusing them for different functions helps sustainability.
Balakumar Balasingam, an affiliate professor {of electrical} and pc engineering on the University of Windsor who isn’t concerned within the Nissan undertaking, stated batteries can not be used to drive electrical vehicles when their cost capability declines to about 80%, however can nonetheless be used for different functions.
“Retired EV batteries have great potential in energy storage applications,” he stated.
“Without such a solution, billions of EV battery packs will be made and then prematurely recycled in the next decade. That will be a problem for sustainability.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”