Nissan has found a new use for used Nissan Leaf batteries in Japan. Nissan and 4R Energy Corporation have teamed up to install new streetlights with the town of Namie, Japan, that will be powered by a combination of solar panels and used batteries from the Nissan Leaf.
The project titled “The Reborn Light” utilizes the growing number of used electric-car batteries. It will add public lighting as part of the Namie’s recovery efforts following the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. Nissan and 4R have created a new type of outdoor lighting that operates completely off the main power grid, so it will require no electric cables or outlets.
A prototype will be tested later this month at the 4R battery reclamation factory in Namie, with full-scale installation slated to start later this year.
Source: Nissan
