Bib batteries x VelyVelo: 200 e-bikes batteries saved from recycling for repair

VelyVelo, a Paris-based electric-assist bike (E-bike) rental company, faced a battery management problem: 200 batteries, all from their fleet of bikes used for delivery, were malfunctioning and destined for recycling. The causes of the malfunctions varied, ranging from shell and connector defects to discharged cells. That's when Bib Batteries stepped in to offer them a more cost-effective and sustainable solution.

The challenge

"We realized that we had a large number of defective batteries sitting in a warehouse, and we didn't know what to do with them,"" explained Othman, the co-founder of VelyVelo. "Disposing of them would have been wasteful, and recycling them would have incurred significant costs. We had considered repair, but the costs seemed prohibitive. That's when we met the Bib team."

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The solution

Bib batteries was tasked with diagnosing, sorting, and repairing (where possible) these 300 batteries.

"We started by conducting a preliminary analysis of the available data and the batteries' State of Health (SOH)," explained Robin, the Operations Manager at Bib Batteries. "This allowed us to make an initial sorting, after which we performed a visual diagnostic with the VelyVelo teams to assess whether it was worth repairing these batteries."

The project had a dual purpose: to verify that battery repair was cost-effective by ensuring that their remaining autonomy was sufficient and to demonstrate that it represented a more environmentally friendly alternative to recycling.

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The implementation

After a thorough diagnosis, Bib batteries initiated the repair process. Thanks to our local repair partners, we managed to restore over 80% of the 200 batteries to service, at repair costs lower than the cost of purchasing new batteries.

"We were pleasantly surprised by the results," stated the VelyVelo representative. "Not only were we able to put a large portion of our batteries back into service, but we also found no difference in performance or operation between the repaired batteries and new ones."

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The results

Ultimately, battery repair proved to be not only a more cost-effective option for VelyVelo but also a more environmentally friendly one. Repairing these batteries cost them three times less than purchasing an equal number of new batteries (€100 per repair vs. €300 for a new battery), and the resource savings contributed to their sustainability efforts.

"Thanks to Bib batteries, we were able to avoid discarding a huge quantity of batteries," rejoiced the VelyVelo representative. "In addition to extending their lifespan, the batteries were repaired locally, near Paris, which reduced our carbon footprint."

Conclusion

By choosing to repair these batteries instead of recycling them, the partnership between Bib Batteries and VelyVelo not only saved nearly 200 batteries from destruction but also demonstrated that it is possible to be both economically efficient and environmentally conscious. It's worth noting that all batteries that couldn't be repaired (due to significant damage) were recycled at the very least.

This also underscores the importance of thorough situational analysis before making a decision. Thanks to Bib Batteries' expertise in data analysis and battery diagnostics, VelyVelo was able to make an informed decision that resulted in significant savings and a reduced carbon footprint.

The collaboration between VelyVelo and Bib Batteries serves as an excellent example of data analysis serving more cost-effective and environmentally friendly decisions!