Skip to main content

EVgo adds second-life batteries to charging system

EVgo has added second-life BMW i3 batteries to its Union City fast-charging station in California to help store energy during peak solar hours and reduce strain on the grid. This energy is then used to deliver a fast charge to EVgo customers’ electric vehicles during periods of high demand. The second-life battery system integrates two BMW i3 battery packs into a single housing. Evgo says each battery pack has a capacity of 22kWh which combines with a 30kW inverter to offer a 30kW/44kWh energy storage
October 15, 2018 Read time: 1 min

8881 EVgo has added second-life BMW i3 batteries to its Union City fast-charging station in California to help store energy during peak solar hours and reduce strain on the grid. This energy is then used to deliver a fast charge to EVgo customers’ electric vehicles during periods of high demand.

The second-life battery system integrates two BMW i3 battery packs into a single housing.

Evgo says each battery pack has a capacity of 22kWh which combines with a 30kW inverter to offer a 30kW/44kWh energy storage system.

Princeton Power Systems provided the inverter hardware and integrated it with the battery packs. Meanwhile, technology company Kisensum developed software controls for the battery system and managed software integration.

The EVgo Union City site began operating earlier this summer and currently has two 50kW DC fast chargers.

Related Content

  • October 2, 2018
    Shock therapy: jolt for EV charging needed
    As sales of electric vehicles accelerate, the growth of charging infrastructure is in need of a big boost. Graham Anderson reports on whether Europe is up to it. Utilities, technology companies and vehicle manufacturers are battling to put in place new charging networks for electric vehicles (EVs) across Europe in response to a predicted dramatic surge in demand. Market experts believe that rapidly falling battery costs – which make up about one third of the costs of an electric car – and growing
  • November 15, 2018
    Greenlots and Volvo Trucks to install EV chargers in California
    Technology company Greenlots has partnered with Volvo Trucks to implement an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for fleets operating out of warehouses in southern California. The project is part of a public-private partnership, in which the California Air Resources Board (CARB) awarded $44.8 million to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The funded was used for Volvo’s Low Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS) project. As part of LIGHTS, Greenlots will equip warehouses
  • May 13, 2019
    EVgo commits to using 100% renewable power in the US
    EVgo has announced its plans to use 100% renewable energy to power its electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the US. The company says it is buying a combination of Green-e certified wind and solar energy through its electricity suppliers and renewable energy certificate (REC) partners across the US. In California, EVgo is currently procuring 100% solar RECs and intends to purchase bundled renewable energy from its partners as they become certified through the California Air Resources Board Renewable Energy
  • April 12, 2013
    New EV chargers from ABB
    Switzerland based ABB has launched the Terra SmartConnect (SC) fast chargers for electric vehicles (EV) in North America. Terra SC will be available with support for the CHAdeMO fast-charging standard, with SAE/combined charging system and will be made available in the Americas in second quarter of 2013. According to the company, the Terra SC can fully charge an electric car in thirty to 120 minutes and charge the battery of currently available EVs from 30 per cent to 80 per cent in about half an hour. The