Waymo is redirecting used batteries from its robotaxi fleet to energy storage projects in California and Texas through a partnership with B2U Storage Solutions.
Waymo announced a deal to repurpose spent battery packs as the autonomous vehicle company removes them from service. The batteries will support backup power systems for electrical grids in two major states, extending the lifecycle of components designed for vehicles now facing retirement.
The partnership represents a practical application for EV battery recycling, addressing one of the automotive industry's persistent sustainability challenges. Rather than immediate disposal, the batteries transition to stationary grid storage—a lower-demand use case where their remaining capacity can prove valuable.
Waymo's robotaxi operations have expanded significantly. Analysis of 13.8 million trips between August 2023 and December 2025 shows passenger utilization climbing from 36% to 56% of miles driven, indicating the fleet's growing scale and commercial viability.
The battery repurposing initiative aligns with broader energy sector trends toward distributed storage solutions. Grid operators increasingly seek storage capacity to manage renewable energy intermittency and peak demand periods, making second-life EV batteries an attractive resource.
B2U Storage Solutions specializes in deploying used battery systems for stationary applications. The company's involvement suggests the battery packs retain sufficient capacity and structural integrity for grid-scale operations—typically a lower performance threshold than active vehicle use.
No timeline or battery quantity was disclosed. The arrangement follows similar initiatives from traditional automakers exploring battery second-life opportunities as EV production scales and fleet turnover accelerates.
For Waymo, the deal addresses end-of-life vehicle component management while supporting infrastructure modernization. For grid operators, the arrangement provides cost-effective storage alternatives as renewable energy adoption drives demand for grid-balancing technologies.
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