UI Academic Develops Ecosystem-Based Business Model for Second-Life EV Batteries

An academic from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Indonesia (FTUI), Ellia Kristiningrum, is developing a business for used batteries to support the national energy transition.

“Electric vehicle batteries should not be viewed as waste once their useful life in a vehicle has ended. Through the second life concept, batteries still hold economic value and significant benefit as energy storage,” said Ellia Kristiningrum at the UI campus in Depok on Friday.

Through her research, Ellia earned a doctorate with summa cum laude distinction for developing an ecosystem-based business model for the reuse of electric vehicle batteries after their service life ends.

Her study, titled “Second Life Electric Vehicle Battery Business Model in Indonesia Based on an Ecosystem Perspective”, offers a solution to one of the greatest challenges in the energy transition: managing electric vehicle batteries whose capacity has declined.

This approach not only extends battery lifespan but also supports the circular economy and reduces the environmental impact of battery waste.

Ellia stressed that the success of battery reuse depends not only on technological readiness but also on governance, coordination, and information exchange among stakeholders.

The business model she developed positions an ecosystem orchestrator as the main link between vehicle manufacturers, battery producers, testing companies, repurposing industries, recycling companies, regulators, and end users.