ReUse: a local perspective on EV battery reuse in Malta

The ReUse project, funded through the 2022 Research and Innovation scheme of the Energy and Water Agency with project number EWA/37/23/2, investigated how Malta could safely and effectively reuse electric vehicle (EV) batteries after they reached the end of their automotive life.

As EV adoption continues to grow, attention increasingly turns to the management of batteries once they are no longer suitable for vehicle applications.

Given that battery packs represent a significant proportion of an EV's value and contained critical raw materials, their treatment has important economic, environmental and strategic implications.

Contrary to common perception, batteries removed from EVs are not necessarily waste. Many retain between 60% and 80% of their original capacity and could therefore be repurposed for less demanding applications such as stationary energy storage, renewable energy integration, backup power systems and portable energy solutions.

Extending battery life through second-life applications not only reduces waste but also extracts greater value from existing resources and decreases reliance on newly sourced materials.

The ReUse project, led by the UM in collaboration with Abertax Ltd., addressed both the technical and practical aspects of battery reuse. Activities included the development of a flexible Battery Management System (BMS), laboratory and field testing of second-life batteries and the study of international best practices relating to safety, transport, certification and end-of-life management.

The project also developed testing methodologies and demonstrator systems to evaluate the feasibility of reused batteries in real-world applications.
The findings indicated significant potential for battery reuse in Malta, particularly in solar-supported energy storage systems, portable power applications, marine electrification and small commercial installations.

Such applications align well with the capabilities of second-life batteries and could contribute to increased renewable energy utilisation, improved energy security and reduced electricity costs.

However, several challenges were identified. Successful battery reuse requires reliable testing procedures, clear safety standards, appropriate regulations and effective certification processes. Malta lacks dedicated battery recycling infrastructure, meaning that end-of-life batteries have to be exported to specialised facilities abroad, resulting in additional costs and logistical challenges.

The ReUse project demonstrated that the technical foundations for battery reuse are already available. The next step is the creation of a supportive ecosystem of policies, standards and industry practices capable of enabling wider adoption.

By developing practical solutions and providing evidence-based guidance, the project sought to support Malta's transition towards a more sustainable and circular approach to battery management, ensuring that EV batteries could continue to deliver value long after their first life in transportation has ended.