Waymo’s retired EV batteries won’t be heading straight to recycling anymore. Instead, they’re going to help support the power grid in California and Texas.
Autonomous driving company Waymo has partnered with battery repurposing company B2U Storage Solutions to reuse batteries from its electric robotaxi fleet once they’re no longer suitable for driving.
The used battery packs will be installed into grid-connected energy storage systems that can store electricity and send it back to the grid when demand is high. The projects will operate in California and Texas, where Waymo already runs autonomous ride-hailing services.
The partnership creates an alternative second-life pipeline for used EV batteries, besides recycling after automotive use.
B2U says its technology allows the lithium-ion batteries to continue operating safely and efficiently for several more years as stationary energy storage before they’re eventually recycled.
