With the rapid development of electric vehicle industry in recent years, more and more retired power batteries have been produced. For decreasing the pressure of resource and environment, it is necessary to develop the second life of the retired power batteries from electric vehicle. In this paper, the characteristics index system is built up for the second life feasibility of retired power batteries from electric vehicles. The index are chosen by analyzing its technical performance, safe performance and economic performance. In terms of technology aspect, the characteristics of the consistency of retired power batteries, and the influence factors on its capacity degradation are discussed. In terms of safety aspect, safety level of retired power batteries, and the operating environment factors of increasing risk are analyzed. In terms of economy aspect, the cost-benefit model is built up for the energy storage systems with second-life batteries. Therefore, the characteristics parameters and the main influence factors are gotten to compose the index system for the second-life feasibility of retired power batteries. The characteristics index system proposed is the basis to scenario selection.