- GM and Redwood Materials will deploy 100 repurposed battery packs for energy storage in Michigan.
- The project is expected to reduce electricity costs by more than USD 3 million over its lifetime.
General Motors and Redwood Materials have announced a new energy storage deployment that extends the use of electric vehicle battery technology beyond transportation applications. The initiative will see approximately 100 repurposed GM battery packs installed at one of the automaker’s operational facilities in Michigan, creating a dispatchable energy storage system with a capacity of 1.5 MW and 7.2 MWh. The project highlights how GM second-life batteries can support industrial energy needs while contributing to cost reduction and sustainability objectives.
The planned installation is projected to generate savings exceeding USD 3 million in local electricity expenses throughout the system’s operational life. By utilizing battery packs that have already served in electric vehicles, the project demonstrates how valuable battery assets can continue delivering economic benefits after their primary automotive use. The deployment also showcases the potential for manufacturers to lower operating costs through advanced energy storage technologies integrated directly into production facilities.
This latest development marks an important milestone in the collaboration between GM and Redwood. Through the partnership, GM has become the first original equipment manufacturer to work with Redwood across every major stage of the battery lifecycle. These activities include recovering valuable materials from manufacturing scrap, recycling end-of-life EV battery packs, and deploying repurposed batteries into energy infrastructure applications such as manufacturing plants and AI-focused data centers.
Redwood has already processed significant battery-related material streams from GM and LG Energy Solution through Ultium Cells, the battery manufacturing joint venture established by the two companies. To date, more than 28,000 metric tons of material have been supplied for recycling. In addition, roughly 10,000 EV battery packs are currently being prepared for repurposing through Redwood Energy, further expanding the scale of second-life battery deployment opportunities.
The partnership also builds on existing projects already underway. GM second-life batteries are currently helping supply power at Redwood’s energy installation in United States location of Sparks, Nevada. As more batteries enter the repurposing pipeline, similar deployments are expected to strengthen energy resilience, improve resource utilization, and support broader efforts to create a circular battery economy that maximizes value throughout the entire battery lifecycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the GM and Redwood Materials battery deployment in Michigan?
The project is designed to repurpose used GM electric vehicle battery packs into a stationary energy storage system for industrial operations. Approximately 100 battery packs will provide 1.5 MW and 7.2 MWh of dispatchable energy at a GM manufacturing facility in Michigan. Beyond supporting energy management, the installation is expected to reduce electricity costs by more than USD 3 million over its lifetime while demonstrating how EV batteries can continue delivering value after their use in vehicles.
How does this project support battery sustainability and circular economy goals?
The deployment extends battery usefulness beyond vehicle applications by converting retired EV packs into energy storage assets. Redwood Materials manages multiple stages of the battery lifecycle, including material recovery, recycling, and battery repurposing. By recovering manufacturing scrap, recycling end-of-life batteries, and deploying second-life batteries into infrastructure projects, the partnership helps maximize resource efficiency, reduce waste, and support a more sustainable and circular battery ecosystem.
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