B2U Storage Solutions and autonomous mobility company Waymo have entered into a strategic partnership to repurpose batteries from Waymo’s electric vehicle fleet for stationary energy storage applications.
The agreement will see retired battery packs from Waymo vehicles redeployed into grid-connected battery energy storage systems (BESS), extending their operational life after they are no longer suitable for automotive use.
The companies said the second-life batteries will support electricity grids in markets including California and Texas, where Waymo already operates autonomous ride-hailing services.
Extending Battery Lifecycles
Lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles are typically retired from transportation applications when their usable capacity falls to around 70% to 80% of their original performance.
While this level of degradation can reduce vehicle range and efficiency, the batteries often retain enough capacity to serve in less demanding stationary storage applications for several additional years.
Under the partnership, B2U will integrate retired battery packs from Waymo’s fleet into its energy storage systems, which are used to provide grid services and support electricity market operations.
The company said it will manage the batteries throughout their second-life deployment before arranging recycling once their remaining value has been exhausted.
Supporting Grid Reliability
B2U specializes in energy storage systems built from repurposed electric vehicle batteries and has developed technology designed to integrate used battery packs into utility-scale storage projects.
The company said the partnership could eventually redirect thousands of retired electric vehicle batteries from the transportation sector into energy infrastructure projects.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in B2U’s mission to provide integrated repurposing services to the automotive industry,” said Freeman Hall, chief executive officer of B2U Storage Solutions.
“By extending the use of these batteries as grid storage, we are monetizing the full potential of EV batteries, now providing crucial stability to the power grid as energy demand continues to grow.”
The companies said the storage systems will help support electricity networks by providing services such as energy balancing and grid stabilization.
Circular Economy Opportunity
Waymo said the initiative aligns with its sustainability strategy by extending the useful life of battery materials beyond their initial transportation application.
“Our shared fleet of EVs provide a massive opportunity to support the growth of clean energy on the electricity grid while expanding the circular economy,” said Adam Lenz, Head of Sustainability and Environmental Impact at Waymo.
“Through this partnership, we can repurpose our batteries for local grid storage and ensure our batteries continue to provide economic and environmental value to the community long after they’ve retired from the road.”
Growing Autonomous EV Fleet
Waymo currently operates a fleet of approximately 3,000 battery-electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles across several U.S. cities.
The company recently announced plans to introduce its next-generation autonomous vehicle platform, known as Ojai, into public service in the coming weeks as it continues expanding its commercial robotaxi operations.
As electric vehicle adoption accelerates globally, second-life battery applications are attracting increasing interest from automakers, fleet operators and energy companies seeking to maximize battery value, reduce waste and support the growing demand for energy storage infrastructure.
