Waymo has struck an agreement with energy storage firm B2U, set to recycle its decommissioned Jaguar I-Pace EVs into grid storage units. The partnership will deploy hundreds of megawatts of storage capacity in California and Texas, repurposing thousands of batteries that would otherwise be discarded.

Despite the clear environmental benefits, Waymo has only offered limited details about their plan. B2U is among several companies exploring battery repurposing as a sustainable alternative to recycling, with Redwood Materials following suit using old EV batteries from Tesla and other sources.

This move by Waymo highlights the growing importance of circular economy principles in the tech sector. As electric vehicles become more prevalent, finding ways to extend their useful life beyond initial usage is crucial for reducing waste and cutting costs.

The transition to renewable energy storage presents both opportunities and challenges. While repurposing batteries can significantly reduce environmental impact, issues such as standardisation of battery types and ensuring safety during use remain to be addressed.