2026.08.11
BMW Group Malaysia and Universiti Malaya Install Solar-Powered Smartphone Charging Station Running on Second-Life BMW EV Batteries at UM Campus.
The installation marks the first real-world application of the partnership, translating over two years of laboratory research into a publicly accessible outcome on campus.
Kuala Lumpur, 11th August 2026 – BMW Group Malaysia and Universiti Malaya (UM) recently installed a solar-powered smartphone charging station running on second-life BMW EV batteries at the UM Central bus stop at the Universiti Malaya campus — the first completed real-world application of the RE:GENERATE x Universiti Malaya research initiative. Engineered by Associate Professor Dr. Tan Chia Kwang and his team of researchers and PhD students at the UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), the station serves a bus stop with more than 3,000 daily users, bringing over two years of laboratory research into direct, everyday use by the campus community.
The charging station is one of two concurrent applications to emerge from the initiative. Lower-capacity battery packs, better suited to the lighter demands of device charging, power the campus station; higher-capacity packs from the same programme are being prepared for deployment to Pos Sinderut, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, where they will provide off-grid electricity access to a Semai Orang Asli community.
For the full scope of the initiative by BMW Group Malaysia and Universiti Malaya, please refer to the enclosed backgrounder.
Photo Captions.
(L-R) Professor Dr. Yahaya Ahmad, Associate Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Strategy), Universiti Malaya; Benjamin Nagel, Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia; Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Bin Abu Osman, Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Malaya; and Sashi Ambihaipahan, Director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability, BMW Group Malaysia at the second-life battery-powered smartphone charging station at UM Central, Universiti Malaya.
(L-R) Professor Dr. Yahaya Ahmad, Associate Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Strategy), Universiti Malaya; Benjamin Nagel, Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia; Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Bin Abu Osman, Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Malaya; and Sashi Ambihaipahan, Director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability, BMW Group Malaysia demonstrate the charging station in use, powered by second-life BMW EV batteries.
Representatives from BMW Group Malaysia and Universiti Malaya at the installation of the solar-powered smartphone charging station at UM Central, Universiti Malaya.
The second-life battery-powered smartphone charging station installed at UM Central, Universiti Malaya.
The diagram on the charging station illustrates how solar energy is stored in a repurposed BMW EV battery via a photovoltaic inverter to power the charging ports.
A smartphone actively charging from the second-life battery-powered station, demonstrating the system in operation.
UM Central at Universiti Malaya, where the solar-integrated second-life battery-powered smartphone charging station has been installed to serve the campus community.
Fact Sheet.
System Components.
The system brings together repurposed BMW second-life EV batteries and second-life solar panels as its energy source, supported by a solar charge controller, photovoltaic (PV) inverter, Battery Management System (BMS), and USB fast charger.
Energy Storage.
The station is powered by a 1.5 kWh system assembled from three BMW battery modules, each approximately 10 years old. Through rigorous testing, grading, and modification by Dr. Tan and his team, the system recovers 30–40% of the batteries’ original capacity. These are lower-capacity BMW EV batteries from the team’s sorting process — an approach that ensures even the most degraded cells are matched to a suitable application rather than retired early, with higher-capacity batteries allocated to the more demanding rural electrification project.
Charging Ports.
The station has four charging ports: three USB-C and one Lightning port for older Apple devices. The combined output is 200W, with a maximum of 100W per port.
Foot Traffic.
The bus stop serves over 3,000 users daily.
Monitoring and Maintenance.
Data loggers are installed to record battery parameters and usage. A trained group of students monitors and maintains the system, with the site being easily accessible for regular checks. Routine maintenance is minimal — consisting primarily of battery parameter analysis from the loggers and periodic visual inspection.
Projected Lifespan.
The system is designed to remain operational for at least five years. Lifespan projections account for the batteries’ present condition, expected usage, and depth of discharge, and may extend further depending on actual usage patterns.
A Battery’s Three Lives.
The lower-capacity second-life BMW EV batteries used in this charging station are unlikely candidates for a further third-life application given their present state of degradation.
However, the higher-capacity second-life BMW EV batteries from the same programme — retaining up to 80% of their original capacity — are reserved for the rural electrification project in Pos Sinderut, Pahang. Once those batteries conclude their second life in that application, Dr. Tan and his team plan to repurpose them into third-life smartphone charging stations — completing a full three-stage battery lifecycle from electric vehicle, to rural home, to public charger.
The BMW Group
With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2025, the BMW Group sold 2.46 million passenger vehicles and more than 202,500 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2025 was € 10.2 billion on revenues amounting to € 133.5 billion. As of 31 December 2025, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,540 employees.
The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products – from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life.
About BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd
BMW Group Malaysia is the representative of Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) AG in Malaysia with activities that cover the wholesale of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles, spare parts and accessories as well as the overall planning of sales, marketing, after-sales, and other related activities in Malaysia. The organisation’s presence in the country includes its National Sales Centre (NSC) in Cyberjaya and BMW Assembly Facilities at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah which supports the Malaysian region as well as the BMW Group Data Centre (GDC), BMW Group Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Cyberjaya and BMW Group Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) at the Free Industrial Zone of the Senai International Airport in Senai, Johor which supports 22 markets in the Asia-Pacific region. BMW dealership network covers 39 outlets in various cities in Malaysia.
Issued by:
BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Sashi Ambihaipahan
Director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability, Malaysia
Telephone: +60123817182, Fax: (+603) 8887 3801
Email: sashi.ambihaipahan@bmw.com.my
Media Website: www.press.bmwgroup.com
Chan Ai Ling
Corporate Communications Assistant Manager, Malaysia
Telephone: +6016 2763488, Fax: (+603) 8887 3801
Email: ailing.chan@bmw.com.my
Media Website: www.press.bmwgroup.com
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