The hybrid batteries used in Toyota and Lexus models can last longer than the vehicles themselves, so they are often only recovered when the cars reach the end of their useful life, or if they have been involved in an accident. Toyota already has a battery collection rate of more than 90 percent, but is now widening its strategy and targeting a 100 percent result.
In Europe, Toyota has years of experience operating an internal collection system through its retail network. Toyota and Lexus dealers receive a new hybrid battery in exchange for an old one, leading to an average 91 percent collection rate.
Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has set itself the challenge to significantly increase this figure to 100 percent, through its own network and, additionally, any authorised end of life vehicle treatment operators. To support this, the company has announced an extension of its current battery recycling agreements until 31st March 2018.
Since July 2011, the France-based Societe Nouvelle d'Affinage des Metaux (SNAM) has been taking back and recycling nickel-metal hydride (NiMh) batteries, as used in Prius, Auris Hybrid, Yaris Hybrid and all Lexus hybrid models. And since August 2012, Umicore NV, based in Belgium, has handled lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which are used in Prius+ and Prius Plug-in models.
Used hybrid batteries are still mainly destined for recycling, but TME has started to research options for the remanufacture of NiMh batteries, potentially giving them a second life as a vehicle or a stationary energy source. Stationary batteries can potentially store surplus renewable energy, for example as an emergency back-up, or cheaper, or help manage fuel costs by storing cheaper, off-peak electricity.
