BMW Malaysia enters into partnership with Universiti Malaya for EV battery second life applications R&D

BMW Group Malaysia has entered into a strategic partnership with Universiti Malaya (UM) for the research and development of second-life applications for electric vehicle batteries towards rural and community electrification initiatives, the company has announced.

Through this collaboration, BMW Group Malaysia will supply used EV batteries to the UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC) for the research of energy storage solutions, which will be applied through community engagement and sustainable development projects under the UM Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) and the UM Sustainable Development Centre (UMSDC).

This partnership will also see the undertaking of research and development of technical use cases for second-life EV batteries, knowledge-sharing and capacity building between BMW Group Malaysia technical personnel and UM faculty and students, along with opportunities for joint public engagement initiatives.

“This partnership with Universiti Malaya represents our commitment to ensuring that our electric vehicle batteries continue to create value even after their automotive lifecycle. By collaborating with one of Malaysia’s leading research institutions, we are not only advancing the BMW Group’s commitment to circularity locally, but also developing solutions that align with Malaysia’s broader sustainability objectives,” said BMW Group Malaysia Benjamin Nagel.

The partnership with UM is part of BMW Group Malaysia’s approach towards the wider EV ecosystem including the reuse, repurposing, and recycling of plug-in hybrid and EV batteries.

In 2023, BMW Group Malaysia and EV Connection unveiled its first mobile charging vehicle, using repurposed batteries from BMW and MINI EVs to provide rescue recharge services as well as emergency electricity supply to homes.