Audi developing another second-use for EV batteries in India with EV Rickshaws

Audi has been working with the non-profit organization Numan in India for some time to develop second-chance uses for EV batteries. Previously, the Audi Environmental Foundation and Numan worked to develop lighting for the stalls of fifty shopkeepers using batteries from test vehicles to power the stalls allowing them to work into the night and to potentially extend the selling day. But Audi is testing these new uses for used batteries in unconventional ways that could ultimately hit the "mainstream." One such new "product" is the electric rickshaw shown here. These EV rickshaws would allow more drivers (especially women) to get folks around in a quick and easy, non-polluting ways. They are even looking into "third" uses for the batteries, like powering LED lighting, before sending the battery to be broken down and recycled. So the switch to EVs from ICE vehicles will also find new uses for electrical energy storage units even further reducing gas-powered product pollution. The future looks bright(er), pun intended. For more information, check out the media release, and another gif by selecting "read more" below. Enjoy!

Source: Audi - Media release, pics, and gifs

Solar nanogrids in development with Audi Environmental Foundation and India's Numan

As we make the switch from ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles to EVs, many have wondered what will happen to EV batteries after they've reached their useful life in vehicles. Some will be recycled for their minerals and metals, etc. and others that still have 2/3rds of their performance can be formatted for use like these seen here. The Audi Environmental Foundation has been working with India's non-profit Numan to work on these alternative solutions. Audi took two batteries from e-Tron test vehicles and used them to power the stalls of fifty shopkeepers allowing them to work into the night. “In parts of Uttar Pradesh, hours-long power outages regularly make life difficult for the people who live there,” says the 30-year-old cofounder of Nunam, Prodip Chatterjee. While visiting family, he came up with the idea to complement the electricity supply with mobile second-life energy storage systems to ensure that important everyday items such as lamps continue to work. Shops are open late in the rural area – without light, many tradespeople lose their source of income. Using solar energy in coordination with the local power company, this beta programs is proving to be successful (the first program used laptop batteries). This type of system could be life-saving in the future (think Texas last month) not to mention life-expanding for the "third world." Tesla has been successful deploying their battery-storage systems around the globe. Now Audi is working to develop programs that give EV batteries more life. More to come I'm sure... Media release and video after the jump.

Source: Audi - Media release, pics and video (after the "read more" jump)

Volkswagen shows latest robotic charger prototype

As EVs become more and more popular and more affordable, charging infrastructure becomes increasingly important. In fact, many buyers of Tesla vehicles specify Tesla's expanding charging network as an important factor in the purchase of the automaker's vehicles. Those that live in large complexes often skip even looking at EVs since they have few charging options (that will be less problematic as charging stations become as numerous as gas stations). Volkswagen is developing a robotic charger that will autonomously charge a vehicle in restricted parking areas and underground structures utilizing a phone app or other communication.  The unit independently steers to the vehicle to be charged and communicates with it: from opening the charging socket flap to connecting the plug and decoupling it. The entire charging process takes place without any human involvement whatsoever. To charge several vehicles at the same time, the mobile robot moves a mobile energy storage unit to the vehicle, connects it, and then uses this energy storage unit to charge the vehicle and repeats the process to charge other vehicles. Once the vehicle is fully charged, the robot independently collects the mobile energy storage unit and takes it back to the central charging station. Welcome to the 21st Century. The units shown here are prototypes and show just how committed VW is to our electrified future. More to come...

Source: Volkswagen - Media release, pics, and video (after the "read more" jump)