Second life of batteries

Batteries are everywhere around us: for a long time in our remote controls, phones, and tools... now, they are also revolutionizing the way we travel: moped, e-scooters or electric bikes. At the heart of this micro-mobility are lithium-ion batteries.

We often have the bad habit of getting rid of our objects when they no longer work. What about our batteries? What are they really? How long do they last and do they have a second life?

This 8th edition of the European Battery Recycling Week is an opportunity to take stock of the impact of batteries on the environment.

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Working towards a circular economy for batteries

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Facing the problem of planned obsolescence of batteries, Gouach has rethought the battery from its conception that prioritizes the circular economy and divides the battery's carbon footprint by 2.5* (*from a study conducted by Magelan). And while the historical battery industry is resistant to change, there is now an urgent need to change the way batteries are designed and manufactured to reduce their environmental impact.

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Within a circular economy of the battery, the goal is to extend the battery's lifespan: minimizing waste in favor of reuse, repair, refurbishment and recycling. Adopting a circular economy within the lithium battery industry would help optimize the second life of batteries extending their use, and abandon the culture of disposability.

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This is Gouach's mission: design better batteries, for people and the planet.

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By reusing the cells, Gouach offers a second life to batteries for micro-mobility

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After two years of research and development, Gouach has developed in 2020 an innovative and patented battery design, whose components that would be defective can be replaced easily and safely. Gouach also recovers used batteries from its partners, of which about 80% of the components are still in perfect working order. After a dismantling phase, the cells are checked, tested and reconditioned. Thanks to the eco-design of Gouach batteries (easily repairable and can be taken apart, as there is no welding or glue), the cells from other batteries are reintroduced into new Gouach batteries. The batteries have a second life, instead of being thrown away.

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Another use, after the second life

When cells can no longer be used for micro-mobility because they no longer have enough energy, they can still be reused for other purposes, such as stationary storage. The innovative design of Gouach batteries facilitates this new use of cells.

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Have we not yet understood that the largest European source of rare metals, which we will probably need in the next few years, is already on our territory - and what is more, in our garbage?