Average reading time for this story is 1 minutes
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has joined forces with Allye Energy to develop an innovative Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the Allye MAX BESS, which repurposes second-life Range Rover batteries to offer zero-emissions power. This novel system integrates batteries from Range Rover and Range Rover Sport PHEVs into a portable unit capable of storing 270kWh of energy, sufficient to power an average UK household for nearly a month.
The Allye MAX BESS, which uses batteries that can still function at 70-80% of their original capacity, is specifically designed to support JLR’s push towards sustainability by reducing dependency on diesel generators. These generators are commonly used in the automotive industry for powering vehicle launches and tests in remote locations but are significant contributors to CO2 emissions. For instance, a typical diesel generator uses 16 liters of fuel per hour, releasing over 129kg of CO2 in just three hours.
JLR’s Engineering team is currently utilizing the BESS during the testing phases of the upcoming Range Rover Electric, set to launch later this year. By using the BESS for over 1000 hours of testing, the team expects to save more than 15,494kg of CO2, which is roughly equivalent to the carbon footprint of seven round-trip flights from London to New York.
Besides its environmental benefits, the BESS is versatile, weighing less than 3.5 tonnes, which allows it to be both portable and stationary. It can serve as an energy storage solution at JLR’s retail sites or help facilitate fast charging where local grid connections are limited. The unit will also be available commercially, extending its utility beyond JLR’s operations.
In alignment with JLR’s Reimagine strategy, which includes a £15bn investment into electrification, the company is exploring new circular business models. These include utilizing the full lifecycle of EV batteries, from second-life applications like the BESS to recycling, ensuring that materials can be recovered and reused, thus promoting a true circular economy.
