Sustainability

Used E-Scooter Batteries Now Store Power: What It Means for the Earth

112 old batteries may take the place of one new battery and avoid 4 to 7 tonnes of greenhouse gas. This is our estimate, and the real figure may be lower.

  • 3 min read
  • By DeadEarth Desk
  • Supervised by A-H
  • AI-translated
Photo of an electric scooter lying on a pale floor, with a black charger on its deck and a cable running to a white power strip, lit in blue and red and darkened toward the bottom. The text reads: "Old Scooter Batteries Now Store Power. 112 used batteries may avoid 4 to 7 tonnes of greenhouse gas. Our estimate." Topic: Sustainability.

The news

German start-up “EDENenergy” built a 70 kWh energy store from 112 used e-scooter batteries. Its customers are small firms that have solar panels but no storage. The store keeps the panels’ extra power so the firm can use it later. The first unit reached a customer in mid-October.

The first batteries it tested still held over 90% of their original capacity. The start-up had expected only 80%. “EDENenergy” is a spin-off of the research institute “Fraunhofer ISE”. It aims to build units of up to 300 kWh.

How used e-scooter batteries could hurt the Earth

  • The start-up says: These batteries already worked in scooters, so part of their life is gone. In a store they face less stress.
  • The start-up says: By swapping worn parts, the store would still hold 70 kWh after ten years. This is a forecast, not a measurement. If the batteries wear out early, they reach recycling sooner and the gain shrinks.

How used e-scooter batteries could help the Earth

  • The start-up says: Germany throws away about one million e-bike and e-scooter batteries a year. This unit gives old batteries a new job.
  • Our estimate: The Swedish institute “IVL” studied car batteries in 2019. Making one kWh of their capacity emits 61 to 106 kg of greenhouse gas. So making a 70 kWh battery emits about 4 to 7 tonnes. A used unit cuts this only if it takes the place of a new battery.
  • Comparison: In the old path, the scooter battery is thrown away or recycled. Then the customer buys a new battery. In the new path, the same battery stores power first. This comparison is not exact. The “IVL” figure is for car batteries. A used battery also has less life left.
  • Does it pay? The state of “Baden-Württemberg” pays 50% of the cost for pilot customers. Verdict: a good idea, but not yet shown to pay without this help.

Our conclusion

For the Earth, it is better to reuse batteries first and recycle them later. This beats making a new store, if the used batteries last. By our estimate, each unit emits 4 to 7 tonnes less greenhouse gas.

We suggest that “EDENenergy” publish its price per kWh. It should also publish its wear-test results and the greenhouse gas of each unit. An independent body should check these figures.

Tell us what you think

Should makers of e-bikes and e-scooters have to take back old batteries for reuse? Write to us. More in Sustainability. New here? Read our Introduction.

Sources

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