Japanese automaker turns old EV batteries into factory energy storage

Japanese automaker Nissan has implemented a sustainability initiative at its Melbourne production facility by combining a 100 kW rooftop solar array with a 120 kWh energy storage system made from repurposed batteries from retired Nissan Leaf electric vehicles. Developed in partnership with Australian battery technology company Relectrify, the Nissan Node project uses nine second-life Leaf batteries managed by advanced cell-level control technology to extend battery life and reduce storage costs. This system not only powers two new on-site EV chargers but also helps Nissan reduce operational energy costs and cut annual CO2 emissions by approximately 259 tons while saving 128 megawatts of energy each year. Relectrify’s ReVolve technology integrates battery management and inverter functions at the cell level, which extends battery cycle life by up to 30% and lowers electronics costs by around 30%. This approach supports sustainable, cost-efficient energy storage solutions for industrial and commercial users and exemplifies circular economy principles by giving end-of-life EV batteries a second life. Nissan