So much for all those “EV batteries will end up in landfills” scare stories. According to engineer and EV repurposing guru Francisco Shi, the truth is the opposite: EV batteries are so valuable, durable, and versatile that they’re not just sticking around — they’re thriving long after the cars they came in are toast.
In fact, Francisco is using those very same “wrecked” batteries to power a mini power station from his workshop. The setup earns him up to AU$1,400 in a single night — just by storing solar energy and selling it back to the grid during peak hours. That’s right: your old Tesla’s battery might end up becoming someone else’s side hustle.
From Wreckage to Revenue
Francisco began his journey not out of idealism, but as part of a contract with a waste management company. His task? Develop a system to safely discharge EV batteries before recycling. But once he saw how intact and useful the batteries were, the project morphed into something much bigger.
Now, with stacks of batteries from Teslas and BYDs (he prefers the latter for their neat, stackable shape), he’s demonstrating how so-called “junk” batteries can keep working — not just safely, but profitably.
Second Life, First-Class Power
Let’s get technical for a sec: most EV batteries — whether lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) or nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) — are designed to last 8 to 15 years in a vehicle. But after they drop below 70–80% capacity for driving, they’re still plenty capable of storing and discharging energy in a stationary setup for another 10+ years.
Studies published in Nature Communications and reports from BloombergNEF project that global second-life battery capacity could reach 200+ GWh by 2030. That’s enough to help stabilize renewable-heavy grids across the globe.
Francisco's project proves that in the real world. He charges his batteries with rooftop solar during the day and sells the power back to the grid during peak demand — when energy prices can skyrocket to AU$7 per kWh.
The Math of Making It Work
How fast can this pay off? Francisco breaks it down like this:
- Initial solar setup: 20 kW (now 60 kW, aiming for 120 kW soon)
- Source of batteries: wrecked EVs — many of which are written off for minor damage
- Average monthly income: ~AU$1,000
- Best single night: AU$1,400
- Battery ROI: Depends — if you part out the wrecked car, the battery can be nearly free
He even makes money buying power when prices go negative during midday solar oversupply — although he still pays about 8 cents in network fees per kWh. “So even if the price is minus 2 cents, I’m effectively buying at 6 cents,” he notes. That’s still a steal if you can flip it during the evening peak.
Written Off, Not Worthless
You’d be surprised how many EVs are getting scrapped — not because the batteries are damaged, but because assessors don’t know how to handle repairs. Francisco’s seen it firsthand. Of the 15–20 EVs he’s acquired, only two had actual battery damage.
One was written off after hitting a traffic island and cracking the coolant manifold. Once cleaned and reassembled, the battery still worked just fine. Another BYD could’ve been repaired for AU$2,000–3,000 — but was written off due to outdated policies.
“Ignorance is expensive,” Francisco says. And not just for insurance companies. It's costing the environment a massive opportunity.
🔧 Easy to Reuse — If You Know What You’re Doing
Francisco also emphasizes that EV batteries can be swapped out like other car parts — quicker than changing a clutch, in some cases. “But don’t mess with these unless you know what you're doing,” he cautions. High-voltage batteries are no joke.
He’s now using off-the-shelf hybrid inverters — already certified for grid connection — to integrate these battery packs into a grid-connected system. Since inverters don’t care what brand of battery you use (as long as it speaks the right electrical language), the process is surprisingly smooth.
🌞 A New Energy Frontier — No Landfill Required
Australia’s new government plans to subsidize home battery installations, similar to solar incentives a decade ago. If battery uptake follows the solar boom — currently on over 30% of Australian homes — we could see a massive shift in grid usage.
“If everyone with solar added batteries, we wouldn’t even need more solar farms,” Francisco says. “Just use the rooftops. The infrastructure’s already there — we just have to plug in.”
And what about grid operators who aren’t happy about people exporting power during peak hours?
“They thought my meter was broken,” he laughs. “AGL sent people out to check. Turns out everything was working too well.”
🚀 From Backyard to Energy Future
Francisco’s story is a glimpse into what could become a widespread trend. Salvaged EV batteries, stacked in garages and small industrial buildings, quietly soaking up solar energy and selling it back to the grid. It’s decentralized energy — grassroots style.
The more we see people like Francisco repurposing what would’ve been waste, the more pressure it puts on outdated systems — both energy and automotive — to adapt.
So next time someone says EV batteries are an environmental problem waiting to happen, tell them this:
“Guess what? EV batteries might actually outlive your car — and pay your power bill while they’re at it.”
Reference:
- Waterworth, D. (2025, May 29). EV batteries are outlasting the car. CleanTechnica. https://cleantechnica.com/2025/05/29/ev-batteries-are-outlasting-the-car/
- Heymans, C., Walker, S. B., Young, S. B., & Fowler, M. (2014). Economic analysis of second use electric vehicle batteries for residential energy storage and load-levelling. Energy Policy, 71, 22–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2014.04.016
- Sun, X., Yamamoto, T., & Morikawa, T. (2021). Second-life battery applications: A comprehensive review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 145, 111066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111066
