VOLTAB, second-life car batteries for Italian portable generators

From construction sites and major events to emergency situations, battery-powered portable generators offer an alternative to traditional diesel generators. VOLTAB, a company based in Turin that designs and manufactures mobile energy storage systems, is targeting this market and has announced an expansion of its product range aimed at delivering power where grid connections are unavailable or where the use of combustion generators is to be avoided.

What makes this project unique is also the use of second-life car batteries, recovered from the automotive industry for new applications. This solution combines energy production without local emissions during use with a circular economy model, extending the useful life of the batteries.

Second-life car batteries, partnership with Stellantis and IVECO Group

At VOLTAB’s headquarters in Turin, research, development, engineering, testing, and assembly all take place under one roof. It is here that the company uses batteries sourced from the automotive industry, thanks to a partnership with Stellantis and IVECO Group.

However, reusing these batteries requires a thorough assessment of their condition to determine which ones are still suitable for new applications. For this reason, VOLTAB has developed a Battery & Energy Competence Center in collaboration with the Polytechnic of Turin, dedicated to research on batteries and energy storage technologies.

The research is led by Piera Di Prima, a materials engineer who developed an AI-powered analysis system. This technology allows battery condition and suitability for second-life use to be assessed in just a few minutes, a process claimed to be 40 times faster than conventional methods.

Recycling automotive batteries thus enables the reuse of components that may no longer meet the needs of vehicles but still retain useful properties for less demanding stationary or mobile applications. The overall environmental benefit naturally also depends on the condition of the batteries, the recycling processes, and the actual duration of their second use.

From 3.6 kW in the GO series to 11 kW in the PRO and CORE series

The expansion of the VOLTAB range aims to meet the needs of various industries, offering solutions ranging from portable devices to higher-capacity systems.

The VOLTAB GO model provides 3.6 kW of power and 3.1 kWh of capacity, with a weight of just 20 kg. It is designed for those who need an easily transportable power source, such as for outdoor professional activities or in situations where no electrical outlet is available.

The PRO and CORE lines, on the other hand, reach 11 kW of power and nearly 22 kWh of capacity to power more demanding equipment and appliances.

One of the new additions is the VOLTAB CORE 54, in a configuration with two inverters. According to the company’s data, the system can power 1,500-watt devices for almost three hours or 3 kW loads for over an hour.

From festivals to emergencies: where they’re used

The VOLTAB systems have already been utilized in various settings. Among the collaborations mentioned by the company are those with The Good Lights for events that operate without local emissions during use, with Van Ver Burger in the food truck industry, and with Würth for applications in the construction sector.

In Turin, these generators were also used during the Kappa FuturFestival and the ATP Finals.

A growing area is emergency situations, where network failures or natural disasters disrupt electricity supply. The Red Cross of San Donato Milanese has already incorporated the VOLTAB GO HD into its operational equipment. Protec Civildefense also uses battery-powered generators to power lighthouse towers, medical equipment, and heating systems in tents.

VOLTAB, Italy’s mobile energy storage industry

Founded in Turin in 2021 by Marco Bevilacqua, Pietro Balda, and Gabriele Bergoglio under the name Reefilla, VOLTAB designs and manufactures all its devices in Italy. The supply chain involves Piedmontese suppliers and other domestic companies: plastic parts are processed in Ivrea, metal parts in Latina, while laser cutting takes place in Turin.

Since its launch in 2025, over 600 units of VOLTAB GO have been produced. The company currently has nearly thirty professionals and offers customized systems for specific industrial applications in addition to its standard products.