Giving batteries a second life for the energy transition

Many lithium batteries from e-bikes and e-scooters are discarded early, even though 70 to 80 per cent of their cells still function. The Valais-based start-up Evolium has developed a robotic process that gives these batteries a second life: the battery is disassembled into individual cells, which are tested individually. With this approach, almost 80 per cent of the cells can be recovered. After testing, the cells are assembled into modular and repairable batteries for photovoltaic storage that come with a lifetime capacity guarantee.

In collaboration with the well-known brand Decathlon, Evolium tested the possibility of reusing lithium batteries from micromobility for renewable energy storage. The entire logistics chain was tested, from the recovery of micromobility batteries in Decathlon stores to the installation of the first functional second-life battery in Crans-Montana. This pilot project, together with various further real-world tests conducted over the past two years at the Campus Energypolis in Sion, where the start-up is also based, has demonstrated the feasibility of Evolium’s approach.

Since April 2025, the recycled batteries have been packaged in cabinets the size of a small refrigerator with a storage capacity of 10 kWh and sold to private households in central Valais by the retailer OIKEN for CHF 3,500 plus a monthly maintenance fee. Compared with a new storage module costing between CHF 6,000 and 8,000, consumers can benefit not only from a circular economy product but also from a lower price.

A recent memorandum of understanding with Luup, the market leader in micromobility in Japan, also opens the door to possible international expansion. Evolium is supported by various institutions such as Innosuisse, the Migros Pioneer Fund and Valais Economy.