GM Wants Post Vehicle App for Volt Batteries

General Motors announced today it has signed a partnership with ABB Group to develop pilot projects for re-using the batteries from the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle. The automaker believes the batteries may be a source of renewable energy that could improve the effectiveness of wind and solar power generation.

The Volt's 16-kWh lithium-ion batteries can be used to provide stationary electric grid storage systems once they have been completely used.

"The Volt's battery will have significant capacity to store electrical energy, even after its automotive life," said Micky Bly, GM Executive Director of Electrical Systems, Hybrids, Electric Vehicles and Batteries. "That's why we're joining forces with ABB to find ways to enable the Volt batteries to provide environmental benefits that stretch far beyond the highway." 

The Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range comes with a standard, eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on its lithium-ion battery. The warranty covers all 161 battery components, 95 percent of which are designed and engineered by GM, in addition to the thermal management system, charging system and electric drive components.

"Future smart grids will incorporate a larger proportion of renewable energy sources and will need to supply a vast e-mobility infrastructure – both of which require a wide range of energy storage solutions," said Bazmi Husain, head of ABB's smart grids initiative. "We are excited to explore the possibility of employing electric car batteries in a second use that could help build needed storage capacity and provide far-reaching economic and environmental benefits."

Engineers and researchers from both companies are working together to study renewable energy storage, grid load management, back-up power supplies for communities, as well as the time for use management.