JLR Collaborates with Allye Energy to Develop BESS with Second Life Batteries

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has partnered with Allye Energy, a pioneering energy storage provider, to create an innovative Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) designed to provide emissions-free electricity on the go.

The BESS system, appropriately named Allye MAX, houses seven second-life battery packs from Range Rover and Range Rover Sport PHEVs that are effortlessly integrated into specialised racks, reducing redundant processing. Each BESS can store up to 270-kWh of energy at full capacity, which is enough to power an average UK household for over a month.

On the charging front, each Allye MAX unit is capable of charging up to nine Range Rover PHEVs simultaneously via a universal CCS-capable Vehicle Charger, similar to JLR's existing PHEV and BEV products. Moreover, it can connect to renewable power sources at fixed or off-grid locations via powerlock connections.

This system, intended to replace typical diesel generators, is suitable for powering off-grid vehicle launches, events, and tests in remote locations. JLR's Engineering team is already using it to provide emissions-free power during the testing phase of the next Range Rover Electric, which is set to launch later this year.

By employing the BESS instead of conventional diesel generators, JLR's Engineering team expects to save around 15,494 KG of CO2 each year, which is similar to the emissions from seven round-trip flights between London and New York.

Each Allye MAX, weighing less than 3.5 tonnes, is easily transportable or stationable, making it an invaluable asset to JLR's retailers, sites, and beyond. It simplifies the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar and allows for quick charging in locations with poor grid connectivity.

In line with its Reimagine vision, Jaguar Land Rover is investing £15 billion (RM90 billion) in electrification to create a comprehensive EV ecosystem, including the exploration of circular economic models such as energy storage.

The BESS is critical to the development of the Range Rover Electric, especially during endurance testing in isolated off-road locations with minimal power connectivity. Engineers can charge the BESS slowly from a low-power supply during testing and then quickly transfer the electricity to the Range Rover Electric using fast charging, which speeds up the testing procedure.

As battery value chains are expected to expand significantly, JLR's commitment to sustainability goes beyond second-life battery applications. After using the batteries in BESS and other applications, JLR will recycle them, recover raw materials and contribute to a genuine circular economy.