rEcharge

Cost-effective, sustainable charging station for city e-bikes and e-scooters, using recycled batteries and IoT connectivity to support urban e-mobility and reduce e-waste.

© Pixabay

Slovenia

The rEcharge project is developing an innovative and cost-effective charging station for city e-bikes and e-scooters. Simple to install, it features a high-capacity battery pack composed of recycled batteries, managed by a next-generation system with narrowband IoT connectivity for monitoring and provisioning.

Recognising the issue of excessive cars in city centres and limited e-bike charging options, this solution supports e-mobility and enhances citizens' health and well-being, addressing the needs of urban commuters, tourists, visitors, and commercial users.

rEcharge charger integrates seamlessly into existing city infrastructure by attaching to street light poles. Utilising recycled batteries for daytime power, it ensures sustainable energy use. By reducing power after the first hour, it promotes fair usage and battery longevity.

This project has significant potential to transform urban transportation by reducing car dependency, lowering carbon emissions, and promoting a greener environment. It offers a scalable and sustainable solution to modern urban challenges, fostering a healthier, more connected community.

By promoting the reuse of batteries, it also addresses e-waste issues, contributing to a circular economy and demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship. This innovation paves the way for smarter, more sustainable cities.

Value chains


  • Electronics and ICT

  • Batteries and Vehicles

  • Energy

Expected impact

  1. Waste Reduction: The rEcharge process enables the reuse of over 85% of discarded lithium-ion batteries, significantly reducing e-waste and preventing them from ending up in landfills.
  2. CO2 Emission Savings: By reusing more than 120,000 batteries, the project has already prevented the generation of over 750,000 kg of CO2 emissions, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint in the battery production process.
  3. Resource Efficiency: Recovering individual cells from batteries optimises resource use and minimises the demand for new raw materials, enhancing the overall efficiency of the recycling process.

EU Circular Economy Classification

  • 1.a
    Design and production of products and assets that enable circular economy strategies through e.g. (i) increased resource efficiency, durability, functionality, modularity, upgradability, easy disassembly and repair; (ii) use of materials that are reusable, recyclable or compostable.
  • 1.b
    Development and deployment of process technologies that enable circular economy strategies
  • 2.a
    Reuse, repair, refurbishing, repurposing and remanufacturing of end-of-life or redundant products, movable assets and their components that would otherwise be discarded
  • 3.a
    Separate collection and reverse logistics of wastes as well as redundant products, parts and materials enabling circular value retention and recovery strategies
  • 4.a
    Development/deployment of tools, applications, and services enabling circular economy strategies

Project owner

Reusable Technologies

Reusable Technologies is a start-up from Slovenia. Our process involves dismantling lithium-ion batteries to extract individual cells. Utilising semi-automated technology, we integrate these cells into energy-efficient prototype devices, powered by open-source hardware code. Our intuitive web interface facilitates the regeneration of these cells, ensuring they are prepared for safe reuse in new, Circular Economy-oriented products.

https://www.reusable-technologies.com