JLR develops second-life battery energy storage system

April 17, 2024

JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) is working with Allye Energy, an energy storage start-up, to develop a unique Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to offer power on the move.

The BESS, Allye MAX, incorporates seven second-life battery packs from Range Rover and Range Rover Sport PHEVs. These battery packs are simply removed from the vehicles and inserted into customized racks, eliminating the need for additional processing.

Each Allye MAX BESS can store up to 270kWh of energy when fully charged, sufficient to power an average UK household for nearly a month. The BESS can charge up to nine Range Rover PHEVs simultaneously. It is designed for easy charging by plugging into any CCS-capable Vehicle Charger, using the same input as JLR’s existing PHEV and BEV product portfolio.

The Allye MAX BESS can replace diesel generators, traditionally used by the automotive industry, to power off-grid vehicle launches, events, and vehicle tests in remote areas. JLR’s Engineering team will be the first to use the new BESS, providing zero-emissions power during testing of the new Range Rover Electric, set to launch later this year.

The BESS weighs less than 3.5 tonnes, making it fully portable or stationary, to provide energy storage for retailers or JLR sites. This will enable JLR’s network of over 3000 retailers to better utilize renewable energy such as solar and act as energy buffers to support fast charging where the local grid connection may be limited. As part of its Reimagine strategy, JLR is investing £15bn into electrification by building a comprehensive EV ecosystem. This includes considering the full lifecycle of EV batteries, one of the new circular business models JLR is exploring in energy storage and beyond.