German-Indian startup Nunam in a collaboration with Audi is soon planning to launch electric rickshaws powered by the used batteries of Audi E-Tron’s test fleet

German-Indian startup Nunam in a collaboration with Audi is soon planning to launch electric rickshaws powered by the used batteries of Audi E-Tron’s test fleet. The startup has taken up this initiative because it firmly believes that when the car life cycle of a battery pack is over, it can be reused to power more vehicles. In the months to come, Nunam wishes to launch three electric rickshaws in India that runs on used batteries from the test fleet of Audi E-Tron. 

What is the importance of this article?

As of 2022, the entire world is talking about electric vehicles and is running towards a future full of electric mobility to protect the planet from pollution. However, electric vehicles are not entirely safe because they mostly run-on lithium-ion batteries that contain several hazardous materials. 

Once the battery life comes to an end, disposing off those batteries is a troublesome process. Therefore, Nunam firmly believes that by recycling those batteries, they can further safeguard the environment. The Indian startup has its bases in Bengaluru and Berlin and to complete the pilot project, they are being funded by the Audi Environment Foundation. 

Second life, third life

In India, most of the electric rickshaws run on lead-acid battery packs, which are more hazardous than lithium-ion batteries. Not to forget, lead-acid battery packs have shorter life compared to lithium-ion batteries, leading to frequent replacements. Furthermore, they are not even disposed in a safe manner. 

Nunam will not only launch the electric rickshaws with E-Tron’s used battery packs but once the battery packs of those electric rickshaws also get depleted, the company will further find a third life for those battery packs by using them to power up stationary objects. Not to forget, Nunam aims to provide most of the electric rickshaws to Indian women to economically uplift them. 

Nunam’s official statement

Commenting on the initiative, Prodip Chatterjee, the Co-Founder of Nunam, said, “The old batteries are still extremely powerful. When used appropriately, second-life batteries can have a huge impact, helping people in challenging life situations earn an income and gain economic independence – everything in a sustainable way.”

“Car batteries are designed to last the life of the car. But even after their initial use in a vehicle, they still have a lot of their power. In our second-life project, we reuse batteries from electric cars in electric vehicles; you might call it electric mobility ‘lite’”, Chatterjee concluded.