JSW MG Motor India has partnered with LICO Materials to develop a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that repurposes batteries from MG ZS electric vehicles. The project, unveiled on January 30, 2025, marks the company's fourth initiative under its Project Revive program and offers storage capacities ranging from 18kWh to 300kWh.
The system, developed in collaboration with LICO Materials, a subsidiary of Epsilon Group, features enhanced safety mechanisms including immersion oil cooling and smart thermal management. The company reports the system has a lifespan four times longer than conventional solutions and can reduce operational costs by up to 60%.
LICO Materials has created three variants of the storage system designed for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The systems operate in temperatures from -20°C to 60°C and come with a five-year warranty.
This development follows JSW MG Motor India's previous recycling initiatives, including partnerships with Vision Mechatronics for an industrial UPS system, a collaboration with BATX and IIT Delhi for an off-grid charging station in February 2024, and a project with Lohum and TERI to power a school in Nainital using a 5kWh BESS unit in August 2024.
The initiative comes at a time when India's electric vehicle market is expanding, creating a growing need for sustainable solutions for end-of-life EV batteries. Battery recycling and repurposing have become crucial aspects of the EV ecosystem, as manufacturers seek to address environmental concerns and reduce waste while supporting the country's renewable energy infrastructure.
The BESS technology aims to support grid stability and increase the utilization of renewable energy sources, addressing two key challenges in India's energy sector: grid reliability and the integration of clean energy sources. This approach aligns with the broader industry trend of creating circular economy solutions in the automotive sector, particularly for electric vehicle components.