Moment Energy and its shipping containers packed with old EV batteries
Demand for energy storage is surging, with capacity expected to grow eightfold in the next decade. To meet that demand, Moment Energy wants to shortcut a supply chain that now flows largely through China, by domestically repurposing EV batteries into new grid-connected storage systems.
Moment Energy was founded in 2019 in Vancouver, Canada, by a team of four individuals who recognized an opportunity after two tornadoes in Ottawa in 2018 caused widespread power outages. The company initially focused on repurposing old electric vehicle (EV) batteries from Nissan Leaf cars, disassembling them in a garage in British Columbia. Their goal was to create backup power systems for homes and businesses. The timing aligned with a projected 40-fold increase in global battery storage capacity by 2040, as estimated by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The company’s bylaws include a commitment to never send a battery to a landfill, reflecting their environmental focus.
Moment Energy’s business model addresses two major trends: increasing extreme weather events and the rapid expansion of data centers. Hurricanes, wildfires, and other disasters have led to more frequent blackouts, driving demand for reliable backup power solutions. Simultaneously, data centers require significant energy storage to manage their power supply, further expanding the market for energy storage systems. The company now works with tech companies and customers preparing for potential outages, positioning itself as a key player in the energy storage sector.
Trade tensions between the United States and China have indirectly benefited Moment Energy. Nearly all battery manufacturing is based in China, and batteries imported to the U.S. face high tariffs, which can make new batteries more expensive. However, Moment Energy repurposes old EV batteries, categorizing its products as domestic in both Canada and the U.S. This strategy helps avoid tariffs while meeting local demand. The company is also the only second-life battery company to receive important safety certifications from UL, an independent evaluator trusted by financiers and insurers to assess investment security.
Moment Energy’s process begins with receiving used EV battery packs, which are then screened for health and safety. Each cell is tested, and proprietary AI models evaluate its remaining useful life. Cells that do not meet safety or performance standards are recycled, while the rest are repackaged into 20- or 40-foot-long steel containers. These containers can extend a battery’s useful life by 10 to 30 years. Repurposing batteries before recycling reduces global warming potential, resource use, and human health impacts, according to a 2023 analysis. The company aims to reroute over two gigawatt-hours of batteries from landfills or recycling facilities annually.
The global EV battery capacity deployed in 2025 reached 1.2 terawatt-hours, with battery storage being the fastest-growing power technology. Producing new batteries is resource-intensive, involving mining, manufacturing, and shipping, often from China. When an EV battery reaches the end of its life, up to 80% of its capacity remains unused. Recycling is expensive and mostly concentrated in China, requiring materials to be shipped back across the ocean. Moment Energy’s repurposing model offers a more sustainable alternative, reducing the need for new battery production and minimizing environmental harm.
Despite its potential, Moment Energy represents a small portion of the energy-storage market, having deployed only 11 systems since its founding. The company sources used batteries from around 20 car manufacturers, including Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. Scaling up depends on securing a steady supply of EV batteries and efficiently testing and repackaging them. Moment Energy’s systems currently cost under $90 per kilowatt-hour, while new batteries from China cost around $70 per kilowatt-hour. Even with tariffs and shipping costs, new batteries may still be cheaper, posing a competitive challenge for the company.
In June 2026, Moment Energy opened its Megafactory 1 in Vancouver, designed to repurpose one gigawatt-hour of battery capacity annually by 2030. This facility is the world’s largest for repurposing EV batteries and was built in just six weeks. The company has raised $100 million from investors, including Amazon and Liberty Mutual, and received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. Moment Energy is now constructing an even larger facility in Texas. Together, these two hubs will only process a fraction of the batteries retiring from North American roads, highlighting the need for significant scaling to realize their full climate potential.
