Toyota has just announced a major new partnership with Redwood Materials, an American company headed by the co-founder of Tesla. Thanks to this agreement, the Japanese manufacturer wants to commit to recycling the materials from its end-of-life electric and hybrid models, such as the first Prius, to manufacture the batteries for its future EVs.
What to do with used electric batteries from the first electric or hybrid models launched on the market? Several manufacturers have tried to provide an answer to this question. As for Volkswagen, for example, the German firm launched in July 2022 the very first energy storage container made up of old ID.3 batteries.
According to VW details, this PCS is capable of charging up to 8 cars simultaneously, with a charging power of 150 kW. Of course, this is just one idea among many. Concerning Toyota, the Japanese brand has decided to make the challenge of recycling to manufacture the batteries for its future electric models.
To do this, the Japanese company has just announced a major partnership with Redwood Materials, an American company specializing in the recycling of automobile components. This company, led by Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, has built a good reputation in recent years. She works in particular with Tesla in Nevada, and with Ford and Panasonic.
Also read: Electric cars:- Volkswagen has figured out how to recycle old batteries
Toyota wants to recycle components from its old hybrid and electric models
With this agreement, Toyota aims to create a closed-loop battery ecosystem, by manufacturing the accumulators for its electric models in the United States and not abroad. Thus, Redwood will be responsible in particular for recycle old batteries from electric and hybrid models at the end of Toyota’s life, like the first Prius. In addition, the structure will also provide recycled materials for the cathodes and anodes of future Toyota batteries (20% recycled nickel, 20% recycled lithium and 50% recycled cobalt).
The components manufactured by Redwood will be used to powering production at Toyota’s next battery plant which should see the light of day in North Carolina in 2025. The creation of this site cost a trifle of 14 billion dollars to the Japanese company.
“Today, with Redwood Materials, Toyota is taking a decisive step towards a sustainable future. Not only are they working to ensure responsible management of the end of their electric vehicles, but they are also planning to build their next generation of electric cars using in part sustainable, domestically manufactured battery components,” said Cal Lankton, chief commercial officer of Redwood Materials.
Source: Automobile Propre