GM and Redwood Materials Turn Repurposed EV Batteries into Powerful Data Center Energy Solutions
Repurposing electric vehicle batteries has become more than just a sustainability initiative—it’s now a viable energy solution. GM’s latest collaboration with Redwood Materials is a powerful example. By reusing both new and used EV batteries, the two companies are fueling high-performance data centers with clean, stored energy. For anyone searching how repurposed EV batteries can be reused beyond the road, this partnership shows real-world applications already making an impact. Redwood’s energy storage division is helping transform used EV cells into efficient, large-scale battery storage—helping balance power demand from solar and wind, and offering a second life for batteries that would otherwise be recycled.
Image Credits:Redwood Materials
How Repurposed EV Batteries Are Powering High-Demand Infrastructure
Energy storage is critical for modern data centers, especially those relying on renewable power. GM and Redwood are now using repurposed EV batteries to create microgrids that deliver reliable, sustainable energy to facilities like Crusoe’s 2,000 GPU data center in Sparks, Nevada. The microgrid—powered by 12 megawatts of stored energy—relies on solar panels to charge the second-life batteries. Instead of dismantling and recycling the cells, Redwood found many still retain significant capacity. These functional packs are kept intact and reconfigured into modular battery systems. The result? A circular energy solution that reduces waste, cuts emissions, and keeps critical digital infrastructure running even when solar production dips.
This approach not only proves the versatility of repurposed EV batteries but also highlights the importance of integrating circular supply chains into the EV ecosystem. By extending battery life through reuse, both cost and carbon emissions can be significantly reduced, especially when powering energy-intensive computing centers.
Why GM’s Collaboration with Redwood Marks a Turning Point
General Motors has long been positioning itself as more than an automaker—it’s investing heavily in energy systems and sustainability. The recent expansion of its agreement with Redwood Materials shows GM’s commitment to sustainable battery solutions goes far beyond vehicle manufacturing. The energy storage systems being developed are a strategic shift toward supporting renewable energy infrastructure and next-gen data centers, which require enormous power loads.
By backing projects that enable second-life applications of EV batteries, GM reduces both supply chain pressure and the environmental impact associated with producing new battery materials. With Redwood already recovering around 70% of all used or discarded batteries in the U.S., its scale and access to supply make it a natural partner in GM’s vision for a green energy future. The companies aren’t just recycling—they’re closing the loop on energy use. This second life for batteries could eventually surpass the recycling business in impact and revenue, according to Redwood’s CEO JB Straubel.
What the Future Holds for Repurposed EV Batteries and Energy Storage
The GM–Redwood project is just one step toward a future where every EV battery has multiple uses before reaching end-of-life. Redwood’s ambitious goal to deploy 20 gigawatt-hours of energy storage by 2028 shows how quickly this sector could grow. As demand for renewable energy, AI compute, and sustainable infrastructure skyrockets, stationary storage solutions powered by repurposed EV batteries could become essential.
Moreover, Redwood’s unique ability to integrate different battery chemistries from various manufacturers positions it ahead of competitors that rely on more uniform supply streams. That flexibility is critical as EV batteries evolve in design and chemistry. It also makes Redwood a key player in global electrification goals.
This model of repurposing isn’t just for industry giants. Municipal grids, solar farms, and even commercial buildings can benefit from second-life batteries. As battery technology improves and more EVs hit the road, the supply of used cells will grow—so too will the opportunities to use them creatively. GM and Redwood’s collaboration isn’t just about powering data centers—it’s about building a blueprint for scalable, clean energy infrastructure that bridges transportation and technology.
GM’s partnership with Redwood Materials is setting a new standard for what’s possible with repurposed EV batteries. By redirecting these power sources from recycling bins to renewable-powered microgrids, the companies are solving multiple problems at once: energy waste, storage demands, and emissions. This approach reflects the next evolution in clean tech—where resources are reused, energy is clean and stable, and critical infrastructure like data centers become greener without compromising performance. As 2025 unfolds, expect more manufacturers to follow GM’s lead, giving their EV batteries new life—and giving the planet a much-needed break.
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