Audi e-tron Second-Life Batteries to Power Indian Rickshaws

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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16th June 2022

Audi plans to send its second-life BEV automotive batteries to India to help clean up the huge rickshaw transportation market with zero emission powertrains.

The news will come as some relief to the fledging BEV market recently rocked by a spate of vehicle fires being blamed on poorly designed and constructed battery packs for micro mobility vehicles serving urban environments. Now the German-Indian start-up Nunam is bringing three electric rickshaws to the roads of India powered by used batteries taken from test vehicles in the Audi e-tron test fleet.

The aim of the project is to explore how modules made with high-voltage batteries can be reused after their car life cycle and become a viable second-life use case. The project also aims to strengthen job opportunities for Indian women workers who will be provided with the e-rickshaws to transport their goods. The non-profit start-up based in Berlin and Bangalore is funded by the Audi Environmental Foundation. Nunam developed the three prototypes in collaboration with the training team at Audi’s Neckarsulm site, which in turn benefits from the intensive intercultural exchange. This is the first joint project also involving both Audi and the Audi Environmental Foundation.

The e-rickshaws powered by second-life batteries are scheduled to hit the roads in India for the first time in a pilot project in early 2023. “The old batteries are still extremely powerful,” says Nunam cofounder Prodip Chatterjee. “When used appropriately, second-life batteries can have a huge impact, helping people in challenging life situations earn an income and gain economic independence – everything in a sustainable way.

“Car batteries are designed to last the life of the car. But even after their initial use in a vehicle, they still have a lot of their power. For vehicles with lower range and power requirements, as well as lower overall weight, they are extremely promising. In our second-life project, we reuse batteries from electric cars in electric vehicles; you might call it electric mobility ‘lite’. In this way, we’re trying to find out how much power the batteries can still provide in this demanding use case.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_