A second life for Nissan Leaf high-voltage batteries: In the port of Vigo in northwestern Spain, the Japanese carmaker is supporting Little Electric Energy’s pilot project, in which used batteries from its compact car are plugged into a new fast-charging station.
The “Green Charge Flex” project is a modular plug-and-play solution: twelve 30 kWh battery packs initially installed in Leaf vehicles form a 300 kWh energy storage system that powers four fast charging stations in the port of Vigo. Here, electric vehicles can be charged at both 22 kW AC and up to 240 kW DC.
“Together with Little Electric Energy, we are combining innovation and circular economy to give Nissan Leaf batteries a second life,” says Soufiane El Khomri, Energy Director for Nissan’s AMIEO region. “By integrating reused batteries into modular energy storage systems, we enable ultra-fast charging in ports, industrial facilities and other locations where grid capacity is limited. This reduces pressure on local grids and extends the life of our batteries well beyond their initial use. In this way, we support the continued growth of electric mobility while creating a more sustainable, low-carbon future.”
The system is co-financed by the European Union and the Spanish Energy Agency (IDAE). The charging station supports CCS1, CCS2 and CHAdeMO standards. As a pilot project, the system will be operated in cooperation with charging station operators and Vigo port authorities for at least a year.
“Nissan Leaf is a pioneer in electric mobility, and together we are expanding this leading position into the field of circular energy solutions,” said Ruben Blanco, CEO of Little Electric Energy. “With Green Charge Flex, we show that reused Nissan Leaf batteries provide a fast, sustainable and economically attractive charging solution wherever they are needed.”
According to Nissan, this partnership underscores the automaker’s commitment to recycling, reusing or repurposing batteries from electric vehicles. The project demonstrates the potential of an electric vehicle beyond its initial lifecycle. This is especially important for the Leaf model, which is in its third generation and is one of the best-selling electric cars in the world.
Automobile Magazine – English
