Micromobility provider Tier and Berlin-based startup Vertical Values are collaborating on solutions to extend the life of lithium batteries. The goal is to use reuse and upcycling as well as circular economy practices to reduce environmental impact.
As the two partners indicate, lithium-ion batteries lend themselves particularly well to upcycling. Vertical Values repairs defective batteries from electric scooters. Instead of replacing and disposing of the entire batteries, the company aims to assemble the still usable cells into a new battery.
If repair is not possible, continued use is the goal. Each cell removed is evaluated individually to determine its SoH (State of Health). “Once the cells are properly tested, they will be sorted. Sorted cells are then repurposed and turned into new products, which extends the lifespan of the cells,” Tier writes.
“We are delighted to work with Vertical Values to extend the lifespan of e-scooter batteries and have a new partner who can help make our light electric vehicles even more environmentally friendly,” said Ailin Huang, Head of Sustainability at Tier Mobility. “We always first prioritise reuse over recycling according to circular economy principles. Next to the e-scooter as a whole, the batteries hold the biggest opportunity for reuse as they still have over 80% of their capacity even after several hundred charging cycles. So, it’s absolutely critical that we scale up the reuse of batteries.”
The startup Vertical Values was only founded in 2021 and is based in Berlin. However, the company says it is active throughout the European market.
Keyword: Tier Mobilty launches battery upcycling campaign