BMW Group Malaysia Partners UM For Second-Life EV Batteries

BMW Group Malaysia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Universiti Malaya (UM) to form a strategic partnership focused on developing second-life applications for electric vehicle batteries, particularly for rural and community electrification.

Under the collaboration, BMW Group Malaysia will supply used EV batteries to UM’s Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC) for research into energy storage solutions. These solutions will be tested and applied through community engagement and sustainability projects carried out by UMCares and the UM Sustainable Development Centre.

The partnership supports BMW Group Malaysia’s circularity strategy by extending the useful life of EV batteries beyond their original automotive role. Research will cover applications such as stationary energy storage systems and sustainable energy solutions within the university campus.

In addition to technical development, the collaboration includes knowledge sharing between BMW Group Malaysia’s engineers and UM’s faculty and students, as well as joint public engagement initiatives to promote awareness of sustainable energy and circular economy practices.

BMW Group Malaysia MD, Benjamin Nagel said the initiative ensures EV batteries continue to create value after their use in vehicles, while contributing solutions that align with Malaysia’s sustainability objectives and deliver tangible benefits to communities.

Universiti Malaya Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman said the partnership builds on UM’s strengths in energy storage research, allowing the university to develop practical solutions using high-quality battery systems and demonstrate the real-world potential of second-life batteries.

The collaboration aims to support the growth of a circular economy within Malaysia’s expanding EV ecosystem. It also builds on BMW Group Malaysia’s wider sustainability efforts under its RE:THINK and RE:GENERATE programmes, which focus on reducing waste and improving resource efficiency across its value chain.