Toyota Hybrid Battery Recycling Successes in Europe

It has been a while since we posted a battery recycling story. Europe just fixed that.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Feb. 24, 2015



100,000th UK Hybrid, a 2014 Toyota Auris Hybrid, roiling off the line.



Toyota Europe (TME) stated that 91 percent of its hybrid batteries have been successfully collected through its dealer network and is now expanding its program to independent end-of-life vehicle (ELV) operators.



Hybrid batteries usually outlast the vehicle so are usually recovered at the end of the vehicle life or in case of an accident. Toyota has years of experience in Asia, North America and Europe running an internal collection process with Toyota and Lexus retailers/repairers through a reverse logistics mechanism. Toyota and Lexus dealers receive a new hybrid battery in return for giving back the old one, leading to an average 91% collection rate.



Now TME is stepping up efforts to drastically increase the volumes of collected used hybrid batteries. It set a target of 100% collection, coming from both its own network and from any authorized ELV treatment operators across the whole of Europe.



Since 1 July 2011 France-based Société Nouvelle d’Affinage des Métaux (SNAM) has been taking back and recycling nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries in Europe (installed in the Prius, Auris Hybrid, Auris Hybrid Touring Sports, Yaris Hybrid and all Lexus hybrids). Since 20 August 2012 Belgium-based Umicore N.V. has been taking back and recycling Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in Europe (installed in Toyota’s Prius+ and Prius Plug-in).



Steve Hope, General Manager TME Environment Affairs:

Quote:

“When our customers buy a hybrid, they already know that they are in for outstanding fuel efficiency and a reliable car. We ensure customers that their car excels in environmental performance during its entire lifecycle.”

Since 2000, around 850,000 Toyota and Lexus full hybrid vehicles have been sold in Europe. Toyota’s all-encompassing environmental approach ensures sustainable recycling of high and low voltage batteries a priority.

Toyota Hybrid Battery Recycling Successes in Europe