Universiti Malaya will re-use BMW EV batteries to charge smartphones and more

BMW Group Malaysia and Universiti Malaya (UM) have collaborated to repurpose second-life BMW EV batteries with the first of such facilities being a solar-powered smartphone charging station. Built using a 1.5 kWh system assembled from 3 BMW battery modules, each approximately 10 years old, it is expected to last 5 years and offers 3 USB Type C ports and one Thunderbolt port. It is located at the UM Central bus stop with plans for other projects.

More details and other projects

Part of the RE:GENERATE x Universiti Malaya research initiative, the charging station was engineered by Associate Professor Dr. Tan Chia Kwang and his team of researchers and PhD students at the UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC). While lower-capacity packs were used for the UM charging station, higher-capacity packs from the same programme are being prepared for deployment to Pos Sinderut, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, where they will provide off-grid electricity access to a Semai Orang Asli community. 

Once those batteries conclude their second life in that application, Dr. Tan and his team plan to repurpose them into third-life smartphone charging stations, completing a full three-stage battery lifecycle from electric vehicle, to rural home, to public charger. 

What do you think? Should more EV manufacturers do the same or start similar projects with their EV batteries and other parts? It certainly sounds useful to have a free smartphone charger on campus at UM and around Malaysia. Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com