Skoda will soon be using second-hand lithium-ion batteries from its PHEVs and BEV models to power its retailer network. Skoda will install power hubs across its retailer network, made from lithium-ion batteries sourced from its old electric vehicles.
The system has been developed by Skoda in partnership with IBG Cesko – a Czech-based technology company. Once installed the power hubs will be able to provide energy to power the showrooms, workshop buildings, and the charging infrastructure for customer cars.
Skoda has successfully completed the pilot project in Prague, with the power hubs now available at select Skoda dealerships across Europe. The company has also received 160 pre-orders for the power hubs from its dealers in Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, and Slovakia.
Skoda states that the power hubs can hold up to 20 batteries from various Skoda plug-in hybrid models (Superb iV and Octavia iV) or five batteries from its fully electric Enyaq iV. This allows the system to store a total capacity of 328 kWh, which can be used to fast-charge customer vehicles by up to 150 kW.
The electricity from the power hubs can also be used to light up the showrooms & workshops and even run the air-conditioning. The electricity can be used at full power, independent of the weather or the current load on the power grid. It can also be scaled up or down, by replacing the batteries anytime in a few simple steps.
Skoda estimates that the usage of the EV batteries in these power hubs will help extend its life to around 15 years. Skoda will recycle the cells in a controlled process at the end of its' second life, with the recovered materials used to create new batteries.
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