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What Happens to Hybrid and EV Car Batteries?

Hybrid Cars -- As the hybrid and electric vehicle markets continue to grow in the U.S., so too grows the number of batteries in these vehicles that eventually will need to be recycled.

While the heaviest volumes of discarded batteries are still years away from hitting recycling plants, the first set of aged and failed batteries from hybrids built over a decade ago are giving the automotive and recycling industries an opportunity to prepare for the coming storm, reports Edmunds.com.

“There are signs that the batteries in the very earliest Toyota Prius and Honda Insight hybrids are starting to go, but those cars were sold in relatively small numbers,” says Edmunds.com Green Car Analyst John O’Dell. “Just 19,000 Insights and 33,000 Prius models were sold in the U.S. through the 2003 model year. That's not

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Submitted Jun 17, 2012 By: angel4me

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crep1291 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,636 Points:486,070 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 18, 2012 11:39:28 AM Ignore crep1291 Report Abuse "The energy used to recycle the batteries and carbon footprint of the construction and operation of those recycling facilities should be part of the total picture and MPGe number." You can't include those into an MPGe number, but I agree with you, it would be interesting to get a total carbon footprint for anything we buy. Not just EVs, but gasoline-powered vehicles too, and computers and refrigerators and the carrots you buy at the supermarket.
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,583 Points:557,620 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jun 18, 2012 9:04:48 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Informative article for a hybrid owner. Thanks
kkimes Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,665 Points:1,530,635 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jun 18, 2012 1:05:08 AM Ignore kkimes Report Abuse "9.5 million tax dollars given away just to try to get recycling started." That's about 3 cents for every US resident. I'll be glad to kick in for your family if you're too cheap. I'm glad to see them get a head start on a solution to a problem before it becomes a problem. I own and love a hybrid and will probably always have one as long as I can drive.
carranco Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,027 Points:270,615 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 10:07:56 PM Ignore carranco Report Abuse 9.5 million tax dollars given away just to try to get recycling started.
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:6,208 Points:1,697,005 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 7:06:10 PM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse Just one more reason why I won't buy one.
amerk73 Champion Author Dallas Posts:7,183 Points:1,647,765 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 11:59:34 AM Ignore amerk73 Report Abuse not bad
tatker Champion Author Asheville Posts:2,094 Points:585,130 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 11:27:27 AM Ignore tatker Report Abuse New opportunities?
bwatchingu Champion Author Arkansas Posts:1,854 Points:626,950 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 10:46:05 AM Ignore bwatchingu Report Abuse So a battery for a green car is not green-interesting
BlueberryFocus All-Star Author Rochester Posts:553 Points:129,510 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 10:38:03 AM Ignore BlueberryFocus Report Abuse Recycling makes sense - why mine new materials when we already have refined materials that have lived their useful lives? The elements inside these batteries do not ware out - lithium is still lithium, so just take the materials from an old battery pack and use them to construct a new one.
bikechuck Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:7,148 Points:2,089,845 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:35:30 AM Ignore bikechuck Report Abuse 10 years for a battery is pretty good, I am on my third battery in 8 years and that is a 'normal' one. $100 to replace and the battery is recycled somewhere. Hope this is the way to go for now and technology will help recycle and also improve the battery. It does save gas but at what cost?
5Golfer8 Champion Author Tucson Posts:2,258 Points:325,950 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:35:02 AM Ignore 5Golfer8 Report Abuse If theres a buck in it someone will do it.
Wizrd03 Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,288 Points:1,659,060 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:30:43 AM Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse The energy used to recycle the batteries and carbon footprint of the construction and operation of those recycling facilities should be part of the total picture and MPGe number. Just like ethanol, the whole picture isn't used to compare apples to apples. What ever is convienient to move the agenda is used. The real inconvienent truth.
mysub Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:9,046 Points:2,357,190 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:28:29 AM Ignore mysub Report Abuse I think they should had thought of this before now.
RangerBob58 Champion Author Dayton Posts:3,247 Points:688,500 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:27:22 AM Ignore RangerBob58 Report Abuse Oops, not so green
Garston Champion Author Maine Posts:2,421 Points:473,765 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:26:32 AM Ignore Garston Report Abuse The article fails to mention the ongoing R&D on battery technology.
WeasleyOC Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,280 Points:828,825 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:23:39 AM Ignore WeasleyOC Report Abuse Just the beginning.
36IHBinder Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,093 Points:669,815 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:19:59 AM Ignore 36IHBinder Report Abuse Just like Nuclear. They need to develope the whole cycle before bringing it to market.
jci25946 Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,392 Points:966,065 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:19:50 AM Ignore jci25946 Report Abuse Treehugger dreams crashed on the rocks of reality ONCE AGAIN!!!
sramroop Champion Author Birmingham Posts:3,437 Points:765,905 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:19:24 AM Ignore sramroop Report Abuse Hopefully, they recycle
porotito Champion Author Houston Posts:2,234 Points:603,640 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:19:10 AM Ignore porotito Report Abuse Send them to Russia...
gabisgram Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,321 Points:937,025 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:18:47 AM Ignore gabisgram Report Abuse What's the issue? They recycle every type of battery now.
golftellowcat Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,584 Points:719,600 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:18:16 AM Ignore golftellowcat Report Abuse ok
snarkysmarko Champion Author Baltimore Posts:3,089 Points:710,720 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:17:22 AM Ignore snarkysmarko Report Abuse flush 'em
smokinjoe54 Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,832 Points:932,540 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:15:39 AM Ignore smokinjoe54 Report Abuse They should be able to recycle them.
dopster Champion Author Toledo Posts:7,437 Points:2,318,975 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:15:18 AM Ignore dopster Report Abuse Well, I hope recycling remains a valid solution!
ARCO Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:2,473 Points:2,402,145 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:15:01 AM Ignore ARCO Report Abuse YEP LAND WASTE
gasrat6083 Champion Author Long Island Posts:3,556 Points:1,173,255 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:14:49 AM Ignore gasrat6083 Report Abuse Interesting reading.
STM1 Rookie Author Buffalo Posts:91 Points:1,335,720 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:13:51 AM Ignore STM1 Report Abuse And where is the vast resource of lithium? Vast? [Edited by: STM1 at 6/17/2012 9:15:09 AM EST]
METEOR49 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,307 Points:481,950 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:13:44 AM Ignore METEOR49 Report Abuse i highly doubt those batteries have lasted eight to nine years and are just starting to fail now.
jessek Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,657 Points:1,280,490 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:13:14 AM Ignore jessek Report Abuse I wonder what the cost would be for a recycled battery and if the warranty accompanying it is as good as a warranty for a new battery.
timbyus1 Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,098 Points:418,215 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:12:45 AM Ignore timbyus1 Report Abuse read
CSharpGuy Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:9,607 Points:1,925,110 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:12:20 AM Ignore CSharpGuy Report Abuse Land waste.
Kato51 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,399 Points:2,191,470 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:12:19 AM Ignore Kato51 Report Abuse We need to continue to recycle as we do with others now.
StrangeLuv Champion Author Kansas City Posts:3,815 Points:925,925 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:11:41 AM Ignore StrangeLuv Report Abuse Interesting.
rippinusoff Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,538 Points:1,514,500 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:11:15 AM Ignore rippinusoff Report Abuse what happens? they go to battery heaven...
grandmacbc Champion Author Buffalo Posts:6,670 Points:1,451,275 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:11:00 AM Ignore grandmacbc Report Abuse no perfect products
Ebaz Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,340 Points:737,965 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:11:00 AM Ignore Ebaz Report Abuse They don't disappear
Norm10 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,396 Points:165,955 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:10:45 AM Ignore Norm10 Report Abuse they will pollute the enviroment
pmc3 Champion Author Missouri Posts:3,609 Points:1,025,590 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:10:37 AM Ignore pmc3 Report Abuse Why That is only 52,000 vehicles...and how many batteries are in EACH one??? THAT is a LOT of batteries!!! They better start thinking FAST on how to recycle these things.... OH, THE GREEN cars are SO much better for the environment!!! NOT!!!!!!
Rick52 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:12,178 Points:1,225,370 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:09:48 AM Ignore Rick52 Report Abuse This should be interesting...Sure go green ..Then what ??
hogfan24 Champion Author Arkansas Posts:2,117 Points:528,950 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:09:13 AM Ignore hogfan24 Report Abuse Ok
ggordo Champion Author Long Island Posts:1,810 Points:381,405 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:08:59 AM Ignore ggordo Report Abuse Refurbish and reuse, & recycle
RobertSpratt Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:4,960 Points:1,069,040 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:08:42 AM Ignore RobertSpratt Report Abuse Recycled
billk44077 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,315 Points:658,280 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:08:38 AM Ignore billk44077 Report Abuse poor planning
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,557 Points:1,497,920 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:08:16 AM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse According to Earth911.com, "Car batteries are the most recycled products in the U.S., having a 98 percent to 99 percent recycling rate. Most individuals simply return their old car batteries to the dealership or the store where they are purchasing their replacement." What's the problem?
weenerdog Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,591 Points:1,910,640 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:08:15 AM Ignore weenerdog Report Abuse the next issue
mk9999 Champion Author Rochester Posts:8,050 Points:1,700,570 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:06:37 AM Ignore mk9999 Report Abuse This will be the next nightmare.
Maintroll Champion Author Lexington Posts:8,769 Points:1,729,860 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:05:56 AM Ignore Maintroll Report Abuse This is like old tires that are heaped into piles in scrap yards, only more dangerous and a definite target hazard for all fire departments nationwide.
schvanda63 Champion Author Lansing Posts:1,411 Points:280,120 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:05:39 AM Ignore schvanda63 Report Abuse This is another example of lets get to market, we'll worry about the details later. They had to know one day something would have to be done to dispose of the batteries. And NOW when the first gen are reaching the end of their life cycle, all of a sudden there's panic about "oh my, what do we do with them?".
us412 Champion Author Arkansas Posts:23,015 Points:2,443,055 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2012 9:04:18 AM Ignore us412 Report Abuse Every solution has a problem, some are darker and meaner than the original.