Batteries in a hybrid. What happens to them when/if they die?

[Super Blue 72]

HI guys,

Just a weird thought I always had.... I'm not that up to date on this topic.

In a hybrid car or electric car, do the batteries in the car (Not talking the one that starts the car in a hybrid but the ones repowered by the regenerative sysytem.) have a finite life?      What happens to the environment then?

If so, what happens to them when they are no longer of use?  I assume they are replacable if they need to be replaced.  Are they considered "hazardous waste" at that point?  Are they a danger to the environment?  I know regular car batteries can't be put on the curb with the weekly garbage.  What about these?

Thanks for any input! 

[Jacksboys]

From what I understand the hybrid batteries are suppose to last atleast 10 years(could be wrong), but like you said, then they have to be replaced (hazardous).  
It is also my understanding that the hybrid vehicles cause a bunch more polution in production than the standard vehicle, so why are they considered environmentally helpful. 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Let's wait a few more years and see what happens. 

[Wang]

What I can tell you is that a few insurance adjusters that I know are already dealing with some issues related to batteries going bad....
Here 's how it goes....

"Hello,, Mr. Adjuster.... I just drove thru a huge pot hole,, bent my suspension and darn near sent me into a ditch... but now... 2 days later my electirc motors for my
hybrid car wont push the car...

Hmmmmmmmmmm................

What I DO know is that a battery replacement on a Honda Insight with no assistance from Honda is nearly 7k. 

so..... now.... how much money did you save in fuel by buying that Hybrid......??

[R/T]

HI guys,
   
 I know regular car batteries can't be put on the curb with the weekly garbage.  What about these?

Send them to ALGORE!!!  

[jeryst]

From what I've read, the battery life is measured in full recharge cycles. They can be fully recharged, 300 times, 500 times, etc. Let's say that the batteries take 5 hours to charge, and you can go 100 miles. If you charge them for 2.5 hours, that's only a half cycle.

They are starting to wire together lithium-ion cells (like the ones used in laptop computers) because they produce higher output, last longer, and have more recharge cycles. I think the Tesla Roadster has 16,000 LI cells wired together into one big 900lb battery. It can go 0-60 in 4 seconds, travels over 200 miles on a charge, and can exceed 130mph.

[willhaven]

Toyota has a comprehensive battery recycling program in place and has been recycling nickel-metal hydride batteries since the RAV4 Electric Vehicle was introduced in 1998. Every part of the battery, from the precious metals to the plastic, plates, steel case and the wiring, is recycled. To ensure that batteries come back to Toyota, each battery has a phone number on it to call for recycling information and dealers are paid a $200 "bounty" for each battery.

[torredcuda]

Treehugger.com   
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/06/should_we_be_wo_1.php

[ViperMan]

The batteries are very hazardous and costly to dispose/reuse.  The batteries have about a 10 year span and some are actually covered under manufacturer extended warranties (I think 8 years or so.)  New batteries are EXTREMELY expensive - the cost of buying one will pretty much negate all the money you saved in gas over the past 10 years.  Of course at that point you pretty much trade the thing in for a new one.  Hopefully we'll have figured out hydrogen fuel cells by the - I think that's going to be the way to go.

And as far as the recharge cycle is concerned, hybrid batteries can completely drain in approximately 1 minute.  What I want to do know is how much heat is generated by the depletion/recharge process.  Ever talk on your cell phone while it's plugged into a charger?  Sonuvapregnant dog gets HOT...


Jeff

**EDIT**  Why the heck does it change sonuvab**ch into "sonuvapregnant dog..."  Who the heck came up with THAT one?!?

[Super Blue 72]

Send them to ALGORE!!!  

   He'll love that!

Great link, torredcuda!  Very informative!  The comments we're real nice to read.

Thanks for all the input everyone, I've learned a lot about this topic.    I didn't know there was a recycle program for the batteries.

I think that one of the posts said it right.  That hybrids aren't the answer but they are a step in the right direction. 

It's kinda scary when you sit down and think about how finite all the resources on this little planet.   

[willhaven]

Yeah, as much as people like to laugh at the hybrids, they're pushing technology forward. Maybe someday we can cut our dependence on foreign oil entirely. I wonder what would happen to OPEC if nobody needed their oil anymore.

[Rare_T_A]

Send them to ALGORE!!!  

 

[torredcuda]

Hybrids save fuel but they use electricity to recharge the batteries so how much are they really helping?

[willhaven]

I don't think you have to plug them in, but I'm not entirely familiar with them. I know they recycle the energy created in braking and store that in the battery. Not sure what else.

[Jacksboys]

I don't think you have to plug them in, but I'm not entirely familiar with them. I know they recycle the energy created in braking and store that in the battery. Not sure what else.

You are correct, they do not have to be pluged in, but there are a few people who found out that if they do charge them over night, then their mpg is greatly improved.