Aucnet Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Shinichiro Fujisaki; hereinafter: Aucnet), a company specializing in circular market design, held a presentation ceremony on June 30 at Gamagori City Hall to donate two units of the "THE REBORN LIGHT smart," an autonomous smart streetlight utilizing used EV (electric vehicle) batteries, to Gamagori City (Mayor: Toshiaki Suzuki; hereinafter: Gamagori City) to promote its circular city initiatives.

This initiative aims to expand the circular market by promoting resource circulation in the energy sector through the creation of new demand and social implementation of used EV batteries.

Scene from the presentation ceremony held at Gamagori City Hall

The Challenge Beyond EV Adoption: Utilizing Used EV Batteries

While the adoption of EVs is progressing towards the realization of a decarbonized society, the utilization of used EV batteries that will emerge in the future is a critical issue that society as a whole must address. Used EV batteries often retain a certain level of storage capacity even after reaching the end of their automotive life, and with appropriate evaluation and diagnosis, they can be repurposed for stationary storage batteries, disaster prevention equipment, and more.

However, to establish resource circulation as a sustainable system, it is essential not only to evaluate and distribute them but also to increase the number of products that actually utilize them and the installation locations, thereby creating new demand.

Leveraging the expertise in circular distribution cultivated since its founding, Aucnet is working to form a market as a platformer that creates circular markets. By utilizing its evaluation and inspection systems and distribution infrastructure for EV batteries, Aucnet is promoting the spread of repurposed products and creating opportunities for their use, offering services such as "Battery Trading Service" and "Battery Diagnosis Service" through "Energy Loop Terminal"*1.

*1 Energy Loop Terminal

A distribution platform for repurposed products, etc., utilizing used EV lithium-ion batteries.

https://auc-elt.com/

Social Implementation Through Donation to Gamagori City

Gamagori City is a pioneer in promoting resource circulation in the energy sector, not only by introducing EV public vehicles and utilizing them as power sources during disasters but also by introducing storage batteries utilizing used EV batteries into elementary and middle schools within the city. Aucnet deeply sympathizes with Gamagori City's advanced initiatives and has decided to make this donation, utilizing the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation System, with the aim of expanding the cycle of resource circulation in the energy sector through the utilization of used EV batteries and further accelerating the realization of a circular city.

"THE REBORN LIGHT smart," scheduled for donation, is one such repurposed product equipped with a used EV battery as its storage unit. In normal times, it functions as an autonomous smart streetlight illuminating the area, and during disasters, it can be used as a charging facility for smartphones and other devices. Its installation in city parks is expected to strengthen BCP measures for designated evacuation centers and provide citizens with opportunities to experience new ways of utilizing used EV batteries in their daily lives through disaster drills. Furthermore, it is expected to serve as a facility that contributes to the safety and security of the community in times of emergency. The donated products are scheduled for installation and delivery by the end of fiscal year 2026.

"THE REBORN LIGHT smart" Developed, Manufactured, and Sold by: MIRAI-LABO Inc.

Future Outlook

Aucnet will leverage the knowledge gained from this initiative to promote the social implementation of new utilization models for used EV batteries through collaboration with local governments and companies.

In recent years, against the backdrop of increasingly severe and frequent natural disasters, strengthening evacuation center functions and enhancing BCP measures have become important issues for local governments. Storage systems that reuse used EV batteries are expected not only to be used as emergency power sources during power outages but also as a means to support power supply to communication devices and maintain information gathering environments in evacuation centers. Furthermore, their importance is growing as an initiative that balances disaster prevention and resource circulation, contributing to the effective use of renewable energy and reduction of energy costs in normal times, and functioning as power infrastructure that supports the safety and security of local residents in emergencies.

Aucnet believes that expanding the circular market for EV batteries requires not only establishing mechanisms for evaluation, distribution, and reuse but also increasing the places where they are actually utilized in society. Through such social implementation, Aucnet aims to promote understanding of repurposed products and create demand, thereby vitalizing the distribution and formation of a market for used EV batteries.

Going forward, Aucnet will contribute to improving the disaster preparedness of local governments and strengthening regional resilience by building platforms that support the circulation of valuable energy resources, including used EV batteries, and will aim to realize a sustainable circular society.

【Gamagori City Overview】

Located in the southeastern part of Aichi Prefecture, it is a scenic port town facing Mikawa Bay. The northern part borders Okazaki City and Koda Town, and the southern part faces Mikawa Bay, blessed with a warm climate and rich natural environment. It has tourist resources such as Takeshima, Laguna Ten Bosch, and Gamagori Onsenkyo, attracting many tourists throughout the year. It is also known for its thriving agriculture, including mandarins, and fisheries, and is a town where the charms of the sea and mountains can be felt up close. It also has excellent transportation access via the Tokaido Shinkansen and JR Tokaido Main Line, and is known as a region where tourism and daily life are in harmony.

Population: 76,384 (as of June 1, 2026)

Number of Households: 34,059 (as of June 1, 2026)

URL: https://www.city.gamagori.lg.jp/

【Aucnet Company Overview】

Company Name: Aucnet Inc.

Headquarters: Aoyama OM Square, 2-5-8 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo (〒107-8349)

Representative: Shinichiro Fujisaki, President & CEO

Date of Establishment: June 29, 1985

Capital: 1,807 million yen (as of December 31, 2025)

Consolidated Net Sales: 64,139 million yen (Fiscal Year Ended December 2025)

Consolidated Number of Employees: 1,119 (as of December 31, 2025)

Business Activities: A circular market design company. Provides online auctions for used cars, used digital equipment, luxury brands, flowers, used motorcycles, used medical equipment, etc., and related distribution services.

Stock Listing: Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime (Securities Code: 3964)

URL: https://www.aucnet.co.jp/

Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Aucnet Inc. Hiro Naka

E-MAIL: elt-info@ns.aucnet.co.jp

Inquiries from Media Representatives Regarding This Matter

Aucnet Inc. Arai, Ito, Shin, Arisako

TEL: 03-6440-2530 MAIL: request@ns.aucnet.co.jp

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 寄付