Toyota’s Li-Ion Recycling Program Gains a Partner

[xcel]

It is not just environmentally friendly, it is also cost effective.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Aug 23, 2012

2012 Toyota Prius PHEV-11 – $32,000 to start with 11-miles all-electric range and a 50 mpgUS combined rating when “off-the-plug”.

Prius PHEV is a standard Prius in every way except for the fact it can travel 11 miles at up to 62 mph on stored energy in its 4.4 kWh sized Li-Ion pack.

A full charge using any 120V AC outlet takes between 2.5 and 3.0 hours or 1.5 hours using a 240V outlet. The included 120v charging cable connects to the charging port inlet located on the right-rear fender.

In addition to offering Entune, Toyota’s new multimedia system, available smartphone applications developed for the Prius Plug-in Hybrid include Charge Management, Remote Air Conditioning System, Charging Station Map, Vehicle Finder and Eco Dashboard.

Li-Ion pack Recycling

Toyota Motor Europe announced its intention to partner with Belgium-based Umicore for sustainable recycling of Li-ion batteries in Europe.

Umicore’s unique rechargeable battery recycling process uses a patented Ultra High Temperature (UHT) smelting technology. It allows for the recycling of valuable elements such as cobalt, nickel and copper from spent Li-ion batteries in a cost efficient and environmentally friendly way. Umicore is also the only company in the world operating two dedicated hybrid vehicle or full electric vehicle battery pack dismantling lines in Germany and the USA.

The two companies are currently in the process of finalizing the partnership agreement.

In October last year, Toyota Europe became one of the first European OEMs to announce a new partnership for the recycling of NiMH batteries found in all Toyota and Lexus full hybrid models sold since 2000.

[CRT1]

Is there any talk about refurbishing or even field repair of packs? Seems to me that there may be an opportunity to replace a hand full of bad cells and put a pack back into service.

[Mendel Leisk]

There are a few (few and far between) third parties doing this, like Re-Involt for example. Maybe they could become sanctioned by Toyota, keeping dealerships supplied with a stock of refurb'ed batteries?

[Right Lane Cruiser]

The problem with refurbishment is that it is tough to match performance characteristics of used cells. It isn't as simple as saying, "This one is bad -- just grab a new one off the shelf and drop it in to get back as new performance!"

[Mendel Leisk]

Yeah, I understand.

But it's apparently possible to rejuvinate an aging battery with careful cell replacement and rebalancing. ReInVolt for example, are providing 18 month warranty on their refurb's.

I just think if a few of that ilk could partner with Toyota (and Honda and?), and dealerships either had on hand, or within a few shipping days, a supply of refurb's, it would offer a cheaper alternative. Without the gymnastics of having to get halfway accross the continent in some instances.