There’s a brand you can trust in keeping its promises when it comes to true ecological transition… On the international level, Nissan has been recycling the batteries used in its electric vehicles and, in the process, giving a new lease of life to these powerhouses.

Refurbishing batteries

Nissan has  devised a way to recycle these 24 kWh lithium-ion batteries, consisting of 48 modules. Batteries which are used to empower the first generation of Nissan Leaf. Commercialised since 2010 with over 500,000 units sold, the Leaf is one of the pioneers in electric mobility.

In partnership with 4R Energy, Nissan refurbishes these batteries and utilises  them in its Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV). Instead of acquiring new batteries to power the AGVs, this approach offers dual benefits: economic and ecological. Previously, Nissan’s autonomous carts used lead batteries that required replacement every two years. Now, with the lithium batteries from the Leaf, their lifespan will extend to eight years.

Advanced algorithms

In addition, these lithium batteries recharge at a faster rate, optimising the operational time of these robots. They autonomously recharge during their processes by stopping for approximately thirty seconds at each charging station. This fully automated process requires no human intervention. Nissan envisions equipping its AGVs with additional sensors and more advanced algorithms, enabling them to operate with even greater autonomy.

As the first generation of Nissan Leaf electric vehicles begin to reach the end of their lifespan Nissan is well poised to redeem its pledge for ecological transition. Thus, the automaker collects used batteries stored at its dealerships in the United States and Japan and sends them to be rehabilitated at their Namie plant in Fukushima.