Does hybrid vehicle battery production pollute more than normal car batteries?

Question

Hi. I heard about this but was not entirely sure. Our plumber said something about how hybrid vehicles use a different battery and the process of making them is hazardous. Every place i look praises hybrid vehicles. But are there any downsides?

Answer 1

There is some concern over the disposal of hybrid batteries.  Typical batteries, like lead acid or nickel cadmium, are incredibly bad for the environment, when sent to a landfill.

However, the toxicity levels and environmental impact of nickel metal hydride batteries, the type currently used in hybrids, are much lower.

Despite this lower toxicity, some major auto makers are recycling old hybrid nickel batteries.

Answer 2

well the increase in batteries needed for each vehicle would change things significantly if nothing else.

Answer 3

It's not so much the production.  Disposal of the huge batteries would be a problem, over time.  New battery technology should address the disposal issue, hopefully.  Hybrids are a great solution for today's problems.  Nonsense comes from US government's policy of adopting hydrogen as alternative fuel of the future.  It takes more energy to manufacture hydrogen than it produces as a fuel. A clear indication that the OIL companies still controls America and intends to slow  the progress of alternative fuels in the US.  The US auto company's support for this initiative are also partners in crime, as they prefer burning fossil fuel.

Answer 4

No, it's an environmental car.

Answer 5

Nope.  The production is not an issue.

The disposal could theoretically be a problem, but the batteries are fully recyclable, so that's not an issue either.

"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."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Priu...

There are a lot of myths about how hybrids really aren't all that environmentally friendly.  They're all just that - myths.  In fact, a Swiss study recently determined that the Prius is the greenest car on the planet.

Answer 6

No

Answer 7

No,

this is another one of those slag off the environmentalist stories, quickly withdrawn but still circulating http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/ar...

"normal" car batteries are lead acid, these can be recycled for cash, although people still dump them.

Toyots Hybrids use NickleMetalHydride and there are full recycling facilites for them, plus reward payment schemes.

GM however just crushed all it's electric cars, http://pluginamerica.com/gallery/Crushed...

no attempt at reselling or recycling parts, despite customer demand or environmental pollution

http://www.ev1.org/ceo.htm

Answer 8

Depends on how many birds are flying over western indonesia during sunrise of the 13th day of november and if its more than 85 degrees outside with a northwest wind and overcast skies....

Answer 9

Well, none of the answers provided to you actually thought of the process of obtaining the nickel used in the batteries of the hybrid cars.  This is where the environmental hazard comes into play -- nickel is mined -- mining includes the use of fossil  fuels - which in turn harms the environment.  Sure, all the other facts of the hybrid are positive, but to really ascess if the car is overall good for the environment, all aspects need to be taken into consideration.  I suggest intstead of looking online for all your answers, look for resources such as academic papers and books at the library.  They may better inform you than the public that may or may not really have any knowledge on hybrid components.

Answer 10

Tough to compare as there are no US based volume manufacturers of hybrid style (lithium ion or nickel metal hydride) batteries.  The regulation and monitoring of volume based lithium ion and nickel metal hydride occurs primarily outside of the US and within parts of the world where environmental protection may be a secondary concern.  In the US, lead acid (normal car style) battery manufacturers are regulated and closely monitored.  They have actually made huge strides to protect the environment.  They recover, recycle and reuse better than any other industry in the US today.  There are some manufacturers working to develop cost effective production for lithium ion and nickel metal hydride in the US.  Hopefully this will allow for competitive AND environmentally conscious production.

Answer 11

yep there producing  hydrogen gas,  very flammable,