IM Group launches Infinitev

A sustainable Australia-first hybrid and electric vehicle battery circular economy program

IM Group says that in an Australian automotive first, Infinitev has shifted the industry’s take-makewaste approach to hybrid and electric vehicle batteries, replacing it with a service that ensures end-of-life batteries are reused, repurposed, and recycled as part of a sustainable circular economy. Currently, electric vehicle (EV) batteries will fault after they lose about 20-30 percent of their capacity. Often, this is due to a small number of individual cells bringing down the overall total capacity. Instead of the whole battery pack going to waste, Infinitev considers opportunities to reuse, repurpose, and recycle them; creating a circular economy for hybrid and electric vehicle batteries which significantly reduces waste. Infinitev, part of the IM Group, offers three unique service programs to the automotive industry – specifically to original equipment manufacturers and their dealership networks, as well as independent workshops – when it comes to faulty hybrid and electric battery packs.

IM Group Executive GM, Gino Ricciuti Hybrid electric vehicle battery remanufacturing (reuse)

To help workshops meet the needs of their hybrid battery customers, IM Group says Infinitev’s hybrid battery remanufacturing exchange project delivers Australia’s first scalable component reuse and resource recovery program of retired battery packs from hybrid electric vehicles. Until now, a hybrid battery was seen as a singleuse part, but Infinitev’s ability to identify and repair battery packs that are faulty, slow to charge, or no longer performing at an effective level, provides these batteries with a second life. Infinitev Battery Energy Storage System (repurpose)

Developed in partnership with Sustainability Victoria, Infinitev’s innovative Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) utilises batteries no longer suited to vehicle applications and repurposes them into an energy storage system. This plug and play industrial grade energy system provides reliable energy peak shaving, load levelling, and potential off-grid power. Sustainable end-of-life parts treatment (recycle)

The automotive industry traditionally sources materials from the earth to manufacture hybrid and electric vehicle batteries, eventually disposing of the faulty product as waste. Infinitev partners with the automotive industry, and other stakeholders, to create a sustainable circular economy for EV batteries. When batteries reach end-of-life, and can’t be reused or repurposed, Infinitev partners with industry recycling programs to recover valuable materials that are used to create new batteries. “Infinitev is unique in what it offers the automotive industry in the recovery and repair of faulty or end-of-life hybrid and electric batteries,” Infinitev General Manager, Dickson Leow, said. “Infinitev is the only service provider in the industry that offers a three-pronged program that considers battery reuse, repurpose and recycling opportunities, and the circular economy advantages. “Infinitev can enhance an organisation’s environmental and sustainability (green) credentials and eliminate waste.” For more information, visit www.infinitev.au

WIN A TRIP TO VALVOLINE GRM COMBINE

Three trips to the event in Tasmania are up for grabs

Valvoline is partnering with Garry Rogers Motorsport for the second instalment of the GRM Combine in Tasmania and it is looking for three apprentice mechanics to win a spot on the team. The Valvoline GRM Combine was created by GRM’s Competition Director, Marcos Ambrose, who was inspired by similar programs he witnessed during his career in NASCAR. Marcos Ambrose and GRM know how crucial it is to have talented mechanics on your team. And the truth is, talent can come from anywhere – even from the workshop you’re working in right now. Valvoline understands how important apprentices are to the automotive industry and says it wants to reward three apprentice mechanics with the ultimate Combine experience. Valvoline will fly the three winners to Tasmania where the Valvoline GRM Combine will take place between January 15 to January 20, 2023. While at the Combine, all accommodation and meals will be provided for the entire week. The winners will be kitted out with Valvoline GRM combine merchandise to be worn on the tracks and will be mentored by Marcos Ambrose and the experienced GRM mechanics. The winners will also get their adrenalin racing when they experience hot laps around Tasmania’s Symmons Plains or Baskerville race tracks. As part of the Combine experience, the three apprentice mechanics will be able to further improve their mechanical skills which will help them in their current workshop. At the Valvoline GRM Combine, they will learn things like practical diagnosis skills, what it is like working in a high-pressure, time sensitive environment, the importance of a mechanic’s actions and their influence on driver safety, plus so much more. For more information and to enter the competition, go to www.valvolinepromotions.com.au and answer the question, what drives you to be the best apprentice? The competition is open now until the 30th of November, and is open to apprentice mechanics across Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.valvolinepromotions.com.au

Infinitev General Manager, Dickson Leow