Today’s electric vehicles use lithium-ion battery packs to provide power. These batteries are normally able to last 10 years in a vehicular application but, even once the battery is retired, 70 percent of its capacity remains. This  presents a challenge that many automakers are looking to solve, and General Motors seems to be readying its answer, according to a report from The Detroit Free Press.
General Motors is expected to make an announcement next Tuesday on alternative uses of its batteries found in the Chevrolet Volt and the Chevrolet Bolt in the future. It would be an essential step in recouping costs associated with owning or manufacturing the batteries, and either owners or GM could resell the batteries for a proposed new solution.
Tesla Motors was first to enter the field, announcing its home battery storage solution called the Powerwall. The battery can store electricity from solar panels during the day, and power a home in the evening to protect against outages.
It’s a tricky field, as former GM executive and CEO of VIA Xtrux, Bob Lutz, has already explained. Luckily, GM is most likely pursuing a different solution that’s different from that of Tesla.
In related news, GM and Nissan have been working with automation firm ABB Group to develop energy storage systems that use batteries from the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf. Could it be part of GM’s master plan? We’ll know soon come next Tuesday.
Comments
I’m glad to hear more on this subject from GM! I thought maybe their earlier discussions of future battery pack use might have been abandoned after the initial trials.
It seems like the most feasible use for stationary battery packs (reused or brand new) is for commercial and industrial buildings to reduce their peak electricity use, allowing them to buy electricity during less expensive times of the day and pull from the battery when it makes the most financial sense. I would, though, like to see GM offer packs that individuals could buy and safely use in RV applications, mobile solar arrays at events, home solar/emergency backup, etc.
Home energy storage systems is now the “fad”. I found another that offers 8.6 kWh packs for regular on-grid, and off-grid applications: http://www.juiceboxsolar.com/home/