From “Trash” to “Treasure”: REpurposing EV Batteries to Extend Their Lifespan in Order to Power Housing Development and Make Energy More Affordable and Accessible for All in Tilburg

BatteREstore is an innovative response to Tilburg’s interlinked energy transition challenges. With population growth driving increased construction and energy needs, the city faces mounting pressure to ensure affordable housing while also managing environmental impacts caused by these developments. At the same time, energy poverty is a critical issue, with more than 6 400 Tilburg households struggling to pay high energy bills – a number expected to rise. Finally, a rapid increase in the use of electric vehicles (EV) has resulted in growing EV battery waste, which current regulatory frameworks fail to manage effectively.

Thus, BatteREstore seeks to extend the lifespan of used EV batteries. They will be reused in a second life to provide energy for construction sites, and a third life providing energy storage for affordable housing communities. This fully circular solution allows the batteries to remain on-site from construction to dwelling, without the need for costly remanufacturing. Furthermore, BatteREstore also prioritises accessible energy for all by actively engaging citizens in vulnerable neighbourhoods and collaborating with community- focused organisations to tackle the root causes of energy poverty. Ultimately, BatteREstore aims to help Tilburg create an Energy System of the Future – one that is affordable and accessible for all users, alleviates grid congestion, delivers scalable, long-term benefits, and prolongs the usability of EV batteries to promote circularity and reduce waste.