Infinitev has partnered with Kia Australia to provide an electric vehicle (EV) battery reuse, repurpose, and recycling program.
Recognising the potential in eco-friendly battery solutions, Infinitev and Kia Australia have joined forces to address the challenges associated with the entire lifecycle of EV batteries.
This partnership aims to leverage Infinitev’s expertise in sustainable technology and Kia’s position as a mobility provider, to develop a battery reuse and repurpose program.
Together, the two companies says they will set new standards and reshape the future of electric vehicle sustainability.
“We are proud to have a holistic solution that addresses the environmental concerns associated with electric vehicle batteries,” Infinitev general manager Dickson Leow says.
“Our reuse approach ensures that the transition to a circular economy is not only sustainable but also reduces waste and preserves valuable resources. Through responsible battery management, we can accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and build a greener Australia,” Leow says.
Leveraging more than four decades of expertise in automotive electronics re-engineering, Infinitev has developed a suite of battery lifecycle management solutions. When a traction battery experiences diminished functionality within a vehicle, Infinitev initiates a protocol starting with a SafetyCheck—a meticulous examination encompassing both a physical and electrochemical safety assessments of EV batteries.
Following the SafetyCheck, Infinitev’s skilled engineers employ their proprietary HealthCheck diagnostic tools to conduct thorough performance evaluations of the battery pack and its individual modules. This assessment yields a precise characterisation, placing the modules into one of three distinct categories:
- A grade modules are reused to build batteries for EV traction
- B grade modules are repurposed for battery energy storage systems
- C grade modules are recycled by Infinitev’s partners to recover valuable materials
“We are currently in the very early stages of developing a solution tailored to Kia customers that will allow their electric vehicle batteries to be refurbished instead of discarded,” Kia Australia chief executive officer Damien Meredith says.
“What happens to an electric vehicle battery at the end of its life is an important consideration when it comes to EV buyers, so this is a very significant program.”
Kia Australia’s line-up of electric vehicles started with the introduction of the first-generation Niro in 2021. Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants of the large SUV Sorento followed along with the second-generation Niro, all adapted from platforms initially designed for internal combustion engine models.
Kia’s journey towards becoming a sustainable mobility solutions leader hit the mark with the introduction of its first vehicle built on a dedicated Electric Global Modular (E-GMP), the Kia EV6.
The EV6 will soon be joined by Kia’s new electric Upper Large SUV, the Kia EV9, both offering a holistic strategy for mitigating the environmental impact of a car, from design through to end-of-life disposal.
This collaboration between Infinitev and Kia Australia marks a milestone in the quest for sustainable transportation. By combining their strengths, the two companies say they hope to pave the way for a cleaner future, revolutionising the way EV batteries are utilised, repurposed, and recycled.
