Market

How to Buy Lithium-Ion Batteries on the Secondary Market

Combined efforts of the Cling team
October 1, 2025

How to buy lithium-ion batteries on the secondary market

You’ve probably tried sourcing lithium-ion batteries before, only to find that supply is fragmented, unclear, and sometimes unreliable. Maybe you reached out to OEMs directly, scrolled through forums, or chased endless email chains.

Having demand doesn’t mean much if you can’t find the right batteries, at the right specs, and with the right level of trust. That’s where the secondary market comes in.

But how do you actually buy safely? Is it enough to just find a seller? Let’s take a closer look.

Actionable guide

This guide has been shaped by Cling Systems’ experience building S1, our dedicated marketplace for secondary battery supply, to give you the tools to source with confidence.

What does it mean to buy on the secondary market?

Secondary market sourcing means acquiring batteries outside traditional OEM contracts. This could include surplus, stopped projects,production scrap, warranty returns, or end-of-first-life EV packs. On S1, all listings are vetted, making it easier to navigate this space.

6 steps to buy batteries on the secondary market

1. Define your sourcing needs
Clarity is everything. List your required form factor, chemistry, capacity, voltage, and acceptable state-of-health (SOH).
📌 Pro tip: On S1, you can create a waitinglist that automatically matches you with sellers meeting your criteria.

2. Verify supply legitimacy
Not every seller is vetted. That’s why S1 requires documentation and offers a standardized listing format, reducing risk before you even reach out.

3. Understand pricing dynamics
Prices fluctuate based on chemistry, location, and availability. S1 lets you compare supply across multiple sellers.

4. Ensure safe logistics
Buying batteries is not like ordering parts. S1 integrates with logistics partners that handle hazardous goods so you can secure safe shipping.

5. Use trusted marketplaces
Instead of chasing leads, S1 centralizes vetted supply, streamlines communication, and reduces friction between buyers and sellers.

6. Close with transparency
On S1, all order flows are tracked, POs, contracts, logistics, and documentation, so you can build long-term trust with your suppliers.

Get started

The demand for secondary batteries is rising fast, from stationary storage to second-life EV applications.

With S1, you can source confidently, save time, and secure reliable supply.

https://s1.clingsystems.com/register

Combined efforts of the Cling team
October 1, 2025
5 min read