Jeju aims to establish a regional battery circular economy model, leveraging the residual value of used EV batteries to create a closed-loop resource system. (Image created by AI/ChatGPT)
JEJU, South Korea, April 9 (Korea Bizwire) — Jeju Special Self-Governing Province has become the first region in South Korea to commercialize products made from repurposed electric vehicle (EV) batteries, marking a significant step toward a circular energy economy.
In partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Jeju Technopark (Jeju TP), the province officially launched a pilot project to distribute energy storage and smart farming equipment using post-use EV batteries. The initiative follows several years of research and field testing and is now entering full-scale implementation—a first-of-its-kind move nationwide.
The three-year pilot, scheduled to run through December 2027, is part of a national program backed by the central government. The total budget amounts to 4.8 billion won, including 2.4 billion won in state funding, 1.44 billion won from local government, and 960 million won from the private sector.
Agricultural Transport Equipment Using Recycled EV Batteries (Image provided by Jeju Province)
Powering Smart Agriculture and Energy Resilience
The products fall into two categories: mobile and stationary units. The mobile units include a 3kWh lift-type agricultural device and a 5kWh autonomous transport robot, both designed to support efficient and tech-driven farming operations.
The stationary units feature small-scale energy storage systems (ESS) for communal use, distributed ESS units, and 2kWh solar-powered standalone street lighting systems. These are expected to contribute to grid stability in energy-vulnerable regions, as well as help manage peak electricity demand.
Jeju TP will oversee the rollout of 100 units per year, totaling 300 units by the end of the project.
Over recent years, Jeju and Jeju TP have conducted extensive studies on EV battery reuse, including safety tests, performance evaluations, and real-world demonstrations. The findings will inform the technical standards and operational frameworks applied in this pilot.
Electric vehicles lined up along a coastal road in Jeju. (Yonhap)
A Blueprint for Battery Circular Economy
Jeju aims to establish a regional battery circular economy model, leveraging the residual value of used EV batteries to create a closed-loop resource system. The broader goal is to position the island as a national leader in carbon neutrality and energy transition, while offering a scalable model for other regions.
“This project represents a critical turning point toward a sustainable future,” a Jeju provincial official said. “By repurposing EV batteries for use in agriculture and energy-challenged communities, we are laying the groundwork for a self-sustaining green industrial ecosystem.”
Further details about the program are available on the websites of Jeju Technopark and the Jeju Industry Information Service at jeis.or.kr.
As South Korea pushes forward with its carbon neutrality goals ahead of 2030 and 2050 targets, Jeju’s initiative may serve as a national blueprint for integrating green technology with local industry and infrastructure.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
