Waymo Gives Old Robotaxi Batteries a Second Life on Grid

After thousands of miles ferrying passengers around cities, Waymo's electric robotaxis are getting a new mission: powering homes and businesses when the sun sets.

The self-driving car company just announced a partnership with B2U Storage Solutions to transform old EV batteries from its autonomous fleet into grid-scale energy storage. Instead of going straight to recycling, these batteries will help communities use more solar and wind power.

Here's how it works. Solar panels produce tons of energy during sunny midday hours, but people need power most in early morning and evening. These repurposed batteries soak up that extra midday solar energy and release it back to the grid during peak demand times.

Waymo operates fully electric, autonomous ride-hailing services across several U.S. cities. As the first robotaxis rack up miles and get upgraded, the company now has a growing supply of batteries that still have plenty of life left for less demanding work.

The program will deploy hundreds of megawatts of storage capacity in Texas and California, two states where Waymo runs its public robotaxi service. Texas leads the nation in new solar capacity, while California now averages over six hours daily of 100% clean power.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership shows how the electric vehicle revolution creates benefits beyond transportation. Every EV battery gets two careers: first powering clean vehicles, then storing renewable energy for communities.

Freeman Hall, CEO of B2U Storage Solutions, says the agreement helps "monetize the full potential of EV batteries" while providing crucial stability to power grids facing growing energy demand. Adam Lenz, Waymo's Head of Sustainability, calls it "a massive opportunity to support the growth of clean energy" while expanding the circular economy.

The timing couldn't be better. As more solar and wind farms come online, energy storage becomes the missing piece that makes renewable power reliable around the clock. Repurposed EV batteries offer a cost-effective solution that's already proven in vehicles.

Waymo's program proves that innovation in one area can spark solutions in another, turning retirement into renewal.