How Periscope Revives Old EV Batteries

Smartville’s Periscope tool speeds EV battery testing, turning waste into energy assets and pushing the US closer to a circular energy economy.

3 Jun 2025

At Smartville’s clean energy hub, a new tool called Periscope is rewriting the rules for old EV batteries. What used to take hours in a lab now happens in minutes on site.

That leap in speed matters. As more EVs reach their twilight years, the US faces a mountain of spent battery packs. Instead of gathering dust or winding up in landfills, these packs could recharge solar arrays or power backup systems.

Traditional testing demands technicians clip sensors on each cell and run a suite of diagnostics. Periscope shrinks that process to under 15 minutes with a handheld scanner and smart software.

Early partners are taking notice. Redwood Materials is adding second-life testing to its recycling work. And TWG says Periscope has let it sort healthy packs from duds faster than ever.

“There’s huge value in these used batteries if you can unlock it safely,” says Antoni Tong, Smartville’s CEO. “Periscope lets us tap that value a fraction of the time it used to take.”

The broader auto and energy industries are watching. They see a chance to build a circular supply chain that cuts pressure on mines and slashes waste.

Challenges remain. Every reused pack must meet strict safety and performance standards. Tech firms, recyclers and regulators will need to agree on clear testing rules.

Still, Periscope has set a new pace. As second-life batteries shift from niche to necessity, speed and precision may define the leaders of clean energy’s next chapter.