Source: Jaguar/Pramac
Old lithium-ion batteries from the Jaguar I-Pace are being put to use as energy storage batteries by Pramac, a maker of light towers and portable and stationary generators.
Starting with a trial to power diagnostic racing equipment and other Jaguar racing pit auxiliary needs at the recent 2022 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in the UK and Spain, Pramac’s energy storage system (ESS) consists of one and a half Jaguar I-Pace batteries resulting in 125kWh capacity.
The unit is charged from solar panels, and has also been fitted with a bidirectional 22kW plug that means it can also be used to charge other electric cars – perhaps one of the neatest bits about this example of circular battery use.
It is also a demonstration that EV batteries can repurposed in a second life use after outliving the ability to perform the high demands of providing a vehicle with power. Second life uses delay the need to recycle batteries in order to recover materials used.
“We’re delighted to be working with Pramac to use Jaguar I-PACE second-life batteries to provide portable zero-emissions power and supporting Jaguar TCS Racing this season was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate what these units are capable of,” said Andrew Whitworth, battery manager in Jaguar Land Rover’s circular economy team.
“We have been privileged to work so closely with Jaguar Land Rover who are a hugely supportive partner in our journey to successfully build a robust product and a commercially viable business case using second-life EV modules,” said Danny Jones, director of Pramac.
“This brings a new element to the sustainability story as a manufacturer of energy-efficient and carbon-reducing technology.”
Pramac says it will make its flagship ESS system, which contains enough storage capacity to power a family for a week, available for commercial hire.
As of the end of 2021, Jaguar had sold more than 50,000 I-Pace electric SUVs, which each contain a 90kWh battery, since it was first launched in 2018.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.
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