Volkswagen opens cargo park in Zwickau

In Zwickau, Volkswagen is testing the use of used car batteries to store electricity. (Photo: Volkswagen)

Specifically, 96 units of ID.3 and ID.4 pre-series cars were assembled into a power bank. It is fed with electricity from his solar system and has a capacity of 570 kWh. Up to eight cars can use the fast charging yard at the same time with one outlet 75 kilowatts. According to Volkswagen, a total of three corresponding charging stations are planned on the factory premises.

In the future, energy storage devices will be used mainly where the power grid does not allow fast charging functions. They can also act as a buffer when there is an increased demand for electricity to charge electric vehicles at certain times of the day. “Continuous use of batteries is an important topic for the future closely related to the intensification of electric mobility”Karin Koetzner, chief financial officer of Volkswagen Sachsen.

Other car manufacturers also use batteries that have already been used to store electricity. Audi had one car in Nuremberg last year charging hub Open, it is based on used lithium-ion batteries from disassembled test vehicles. BMW already had a so-called in Leipzig in 2017 storage farm put into practice. Up to 700 i3 electric vehicle batteries are used back on factory premises after being used in cars. The storage facility is fed electricity from four of the company’s wind turbines. It powers production, but is also connected to the public power grid, according to BMW.