Second-life lithium-ion battery market in Vietnam: a glimpse of Product portfolio and trend

Surprisingly enough, second life li-ion battery market of Vietnam is way more robust than you can imagine. Technical enthusiasts have ventured to test out this seemingly green power source long before the EV market is even known to public with any necessary regulations.

Lithium ion NCM cells 18650 are substantial due to high volume importation of brands 

Power tool manufacturing brands like Milwaukee, Hukan, Ryobi imports branded cells from Samsung, EVE 18650 power cells 3.7V 1.5Ah to 3350mAH. Therefore these NCM chemistry cells are introduced very early to power tool lovers, then it also gained popularity with time.

Laptop battery pack using BYD brand 3.7V cells prismatic

Sometimes you can find battery cells from Germany for hearing aid device maker, but the volume is still modest.

In recent year 2024, Electric car maker Vinfast has introduced scooter models using 18650 LG MH1. This is a class A high quality cells used by Tesla previously, and most certainly made its way into trading profile of traders.

Lithium ion LFP cells are gaining dominance with the rise of EV and energy storage system

EVE 3.2V LFP 33140 15AH has good market. Cheaper models from Chinese manufacturers are also made available as alternatives options.

EVE 3.2V prismatic 280AH for energy storage DIY system of 52V 280Ah are plenty. Other brands like CALT, GOTION, CORNEX, BATTECH, HIGEE are also being introduced. However, EVE has obtained a fair reputation for end-users and is a more preferable brand within DIY community.

BYD 3.2v 400ah blade battery, new technology is also available, though the volume is just introductory.

Battech Pack for EV: pack LFP of 52AH for car manufacturer.

The trend translates well to product profile of secondary li-ion battery market

The availability of these battery cell/models also translates well into secondary battery market. Firstly, from power tool lovers, then low speed vehicles DIY community which seems very robust and adaptive to new technology, and lately DIY solar energy storage system.

LFP 3.2V 50AH used cells 

Second life LG MH1 cells 

Second life Samsung 18650 cells 

Vinfast car battery pack being disassembled 

CALT 280AH second life

DIY Energy storage system is loved with EVE cell LFP prismatic 3.2V 280AH 

Eve LFP Prismatic grade A brand new for ESS DIY Community. And the second life EVE models are also offered plenty. 

33140 LFP 3.2V 15AH cell for EV are selling well. There is no second life cells of this type for the moment. 

Challenges

Due to the nature of sharing border with China – the world’s number lithium ion battery maker, the supply to Vietnam market is stupendous. However the market faces quite an amount of challenges. Lithium ion battery technology is just recently made known to consumer due EV and green energy swift lately. The localization of electric car maker made lithium-ion concern coming to spotlight. Below are some pain points:

1. The used and low quality second life battery pack from China, sometimes being “make over” to brand new!!! This issue happens because consumers in most of the scenarios do not have the proper equipment and knowledge to test.
2. Counterfeit brand battery pack:
3. The confusion of EVE 3.2v 280ah grade A: Let’s say there is an endless materials on internet about how to find grade A EVE cell, the same goes into discussion group of solar DIY community in Vietnam, however there seems to be no official announcement made available by the maker on this issue. Many “other grades” EVE therefore can be sold at premium price.

Vietnamese consumers most certainly have a love for branded goods from LG, Samsung or EVE. The market is also exceptionally receptive to price fluctuations. Therefore, secondary branded batteries are being traded and re-used for non critical applications like toys, low speed DIY scooters, toy cars, power banks,… In general this market is robust and hot selling and also contributing significantly to clean energy effort. However quality control is an issue that must be addressed properly. Legal regulations for such businesses should be in place quickly. Once done there might be a tremendous potential for a well demanded niche.