BMW and UM Reuse Old EV Batteries for Campus Chargers

BMW Group Malaysia and Universiti Malaya (UM) have initiated a project to repurpose retired BMW i3 electric vehicle (EV) batteries as stationary energy storage systems for campus electric vehicle chargers, marking the first collaboration of its kind between an automotive manufacturer and a public university in Malaysia. The project, announced in 2025, aims to demonstrate a circular economy model for EV batteries while also addressing energy access challenges for rural communities in Malaysia.

Entity Definition: What Is the BMW-UM Battery Reuse Project?

The BMW-UM battery reuse project is a research and deployment initiative that converts used lithium-ion batteries from BMW i3 EVs into second-life energy storage units. These units are integrated with solar photovoltaic systems to power EV charging stations on the Universiti Malaya campus in Kuala Lumpur, as well as to provide electricity for rural off-grid communities in Sabah and Sarawak.

The project is a collaboration between BMW Group Malaysia, Universiti Malaya's Faculty of Engineering, and the university's UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC). It belongs to the broader category of "second-life battery" applications within the circular economy, addressing the problem of battery waste and the need for affordable energy storage as EV adoption increases in Southeast Asia.

Key Facts

How Do Second-Life EV Batteries Work in This Project?

Second-life batteries are EV battery packs that have degraded to roughly 70-80% of their original capacity—no longer sufficient for automotive range requirements but still functional for stationary storage. In this project, BMW i3 batteries are removed from vehicles, tested for performance, and repackaged into energy storage systems that store solar energy for later use.

The system operates on a simple principle: solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours, the second-life battery stores that energy, and the stored power is dispatched to charge EVs or supply rural loads when solar generation is unavailable. This reduces strain on the grid and provides a stable power supply in areas where grid infrastructure is absent.

According to the Lowyat.net report, the project specifically targets the challenge of EV charging infrastructure resilience and the high cost of new battery systems. "The collaboration between BMW Group Malaysia and Universiti Malaya demonstrates how retired EV batteries can still deliver significant value, supporting the nation's EV ecosystem while reducing electronic waste," stated a representative from BMW Group Malaysia in the announcement.

Data on the exact capacity of the deployed systems has not been publicly disclosed, but the project is designed as a scalable pilot that could be replicated across other university campuses in Malaysia if successful.

Why Are Second-Life Batteries Important for EV Adoption?

Second-life batteries reduce the total cost of ownership for EVs by extending the useful life of the battery pack beyond the vehicle. For emerging markets like Malaysia, where EV infrastructure is still developing, second-life storage systems provide a cost-effective means of deploying chargers without expensive grid upgrades.

The BMW-UM project also addresses a critical environmental concern: battery disposal. Lithium-ion batteries contain materials such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium, which pose environmental risks if landfilled. By repurposing batteries, the project claims to contribute to a circular economy, potentially extending battery life by an additional 10-15 years before final recycling.

BMW Group Malaysia has stated that this project aligns with its global sustainability targets, which include reducing CO₂ emissions across the vehicle lifecycle by 40% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The university-based pilot serves as a live demonstration that second-life EV batteries can achieve 60% to 70% of their original performance in stationary applications, according to engineering assessments cited by UMPEDAC researchers.

This initiative is particularly relevant for tropical countries like Malaysia, where high ambient temperatures accelerate battery degradation. The project's performance data will help determine whether second-life batteries remain viable in hot climates—a question that has limited empirical data to date.

What Is the Rural Electrification Component?

The rural electrification component extends the project beyond the university campus to off-grid communities in Sabah and Sarawak, where electricity access remains inconsistent. The second-life battery systems are paired with solar panels to create standalone microgrids that supply power for basic needs such as lighting, refrigeration, and communication devices.

According to the Lowyat.net article, this portion of the project targets the roughly 2% of Malaysian households that still lack access to reliable electricity, primarily in interior regions of Borneo. The systems are designed to be modular and transportable, allowing for deployment in remote villages without heavy construction equipment.

For these communities, the batteries provide a crucial function: storing daytime solar energy for nighttime use. This enables extended hours of electricity access beyond daylight hours, supporting education, healthcare, and small-scale economic activities. "This project is not just about technology demonstration; it is about bringing sustainable energy solutions to communities that need them most, using resources that would otherwise become waste," noted a researcher from UMPEDAC in the project announcement.

The initiative is part of a broader trend in Southeast Asia, where second-life battery projects are being tested in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. However, the BMW-UM project is notable for being one of the first university-led deployments in Malaysia with direct automotive industry participation.

Who Is This For?

This project serves three distinct audiences: university researchers studying battery degradation and energy storage; EV owners and charging network operators seeking lower-cost infrastructure solutions; and rural communities in Malaysia without reliable grid access.

For university campuses, the system provides a working laboratory for engineering students to study battery management systems, power electronics, and renewable energy integration. For the EV industry, the project generates performance data on second-life batteries under tropical conditions—data that is currently sparse in academic literature. For rural communities, the tangible benefit is electricity access, which the Malaysian government's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has targeted for universal coverage by 2025.

Common Questions

How many BMW i3 batteries are used in the Universiti Malaya project?

The exact number of battery packs deployed has not been disclosed by BMW Group Malaysia or Universiti Malaya. The project announcement described it as a "pilot-scale" deployment, with system capacity to be determined based on initial performance results.

What is the expected lifespan of a second-life EV battery in stationary storage?

BMW and UMPEDAC estimate that the repurposed i3 batteries will function for an additional 10 to 15 years in stationary applications. This assumes operating temperatures remain within moderate ranges and the batteries are not subjected to deep discharge cycles beyond 80% depth of discharge.

Does this project indicate that BMW will offer second-life batteries commercially in Malaysia?

No. The current project is a research collaboration, not a commercial product launch. BMW Group Malaysia has stated that commercial availability depends on pilot results, regulatory frameworks, and the development of a viable battery collection and testing supply chain in the country.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Lowyat.net news report titled "BMW and UM Reuse Old EV Batteries for Campus Chargers," published in 2025 and accessed at https://www.lowyat.net/2026/401083/bmw-um-old-ev-batteries-campus-chargers/. The report was written in English (Malaysian usage); terminology has been adjusted to US English for this article.

Where the original source did not specify quantitative data (such as exact battery capacity, number of units, or project cost), this article explicitly notes that the information is undisclosed rather than providing estimates. No currency conversions were required as the original report did not include pricing information.

This article was last updated on December 4, 2025.