MAN Trucks has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with German public transport firm VHH to research the second use of batteries from electric buses for energy storage.
The aim of the project, part of the mobility partnership between Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and Volkswagen Group, is to recycle used batteries into energy storage facilities at bus depot charging stations, to sustainably re-use the batteries that are no longer suitable for their original purpose as well as manage electricity demand at peak periods.
MAN expects the batteries in its eBuses to last at least six years, with the rest of the vehicle designed to exceed a 12-year lifespan, giving a regular supply of battery packs for re-use. The second life storage allows the depot to recharge outside of peak periods, then be used to recharge the buses at any time of day.
“This project underlines our aspiration to provide our customers with a complete range of electrification solutions for their fleet,” emphasizes Florian Hondele, Project Manager at MAN Transport Solutions. Already since last year, the MAN Transport Solutions team of consultants supports transport companies and freight forwarders in all matters relating to the transition to alternative drive systems and, above all, electromobility.
The joint testing of Second Life storage is part of the innovation partnership between MAN Truck & Bus and VHH. “Switching to electromobility means much more than just the purchase of electric buses. The testing of the Second Life energy storage unit fits in perfectly with our holistic strategy, “emphasizes Toralf Müller, Managing Director of VHH.
