Micromobility operator TIER has joined forces with Berlin startup Vertical Values to repair and upcycle its e-scooter batteries.
Founded in 2021, Vertical Values’ vision is to make lithium-ion batteries more sustainable by giving them a second life.
EV batteries are prime targets for upcycling as they are often decommissioned when the vehicle begins to fall short of its expected range, despite the battery still retaining 70 – 80 per cent of its original charge.
But upcycling these batteries is no easy task.
Each battery will contain hundreds of cells that have all aged differently “and like a link in a chain, the weakest element typically defines the capability of the entire system,” said TIER.
So TIER has partnered with Vertical Values, which will repair defective batteries or it will extract and sort the battery’s cells from a broken e-scooter.
Each extracted cell is individually evaluated to determine its SoH (State of Health).
Sorted cells are then repurposed and turned into new products, which extends the lifespan of the cells.
Ailin Huang, Head of Sustainability at TIER Mobility, said: “We are delighted to work with Vertical Values to extend the lifespan of e-scooter batteries and have a new partner who can help make our light electric vehicles even more environmentally friendly.
“Next to the e-scooter as a whole, the batteries hold the biggest opportunity for reuse as they still have over 80% of their capacity even after several hundred charging cycles. So, it’s absolutely critical that we scale up the reuse of batteries!”
The Vertical Values team added: “We are excited to partner with TIER. Together we will set a new standard for the micromobility industry in terms of battery sustainability.”
Vertical Values also began working with micromobility operator Lime in the summer of 2021.
