Used Nissan Leaf batteries are already making money as power brokers

B2U Storage Solutions energy-storage array made from Nissan Leaf battery packsWhile several automakers have demonstrated second-life use of EV battery pack, one California-based company is actually making money using Nissan Leaf packs for energy storage. B2U Storage Solutions has turned about 20 used Leaf battery packs into an energy-storage array that supports a 1MW solar farm in Lancaster, California, according to a video...

Fisker Ocean will use CATL cells, charge at more than 250 kw

Fisker OceanFisker and CATL on Tuesday announced a battery-supply deal for the Fisker Ocean electric SUV, which Fisker said is on track for a November 2022 production start. Under the terms of the agreement, CATL will supply two battery packs for the Ocean and a total of 5 gigawatt-hours of cells annually from 2023 to 2025, Fisker said in a press release. The...

Report: Nickel shortage could pinch EV battery supplies, affect costs

Mercedes-Benz battery productionGlobal nickel demand could outstrip supply within the next few years, potentially limiting EV battery supplies, according to a new report from the Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy. First spotted by E&E News, the report predicts that by 2024 annual global demand for nickel will rise from the current 2.5 million metric tons (2.7 million tons)...

Peat might lower cost of sodium-ion batteries for EVs, research suggests

Forest mossAn ingredient used to flavor whiskey and make fertilizer could soon play an important role in EV batteries, researcher at Estonia's Tartu University say. Reported recently by Reuters, the research indicates that peat could be used to lower the cost of sodium-ion batteries for electric cars, potentially providing an alternative to the currently...

Report: Tesla is alleging theft of battery trade secrets by Rivian

2020 Tesla Model YTesla is continuing its trade secrets fight with Rivian, alleging that the electric-truck hopeful poached employees and stole "highly proprietary" battery technology, according to a Bloomberg report. The Silicon Valley firm filed a lawsuit against Rivian 14 months ago, but claims the company has continued poaching its staff, and using them to...