Is Toyota Prius Batteries Eco-Friendly?

Question

I know the hybrid cars are more eco-friendly than the other fossil fuel cars. But is it a good idea to have a lot more batteries per car? (Is it 10 times more?). Are we going to have to deal with toxic waste issues further doen the track?

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

You found the exact website I was going to link.  As you discovered, the answer is that hybrid batteries are entirely recyclable and rumors that they will pose an environmental hazard when disposed of are untrue.

Answer 3

Of course!  Car batteries have ALWAYS been recycled.  (don't believe me, ask your local auto parts store what happens to used car batteries.)

Now, there is a bit of dis-information being spread by the anti-eco's.  They claim that making the nickel in NiMH batteries causes horrible pollution and they point to a nickel plant in Sudbury, Ontario and a barren wasteland downwind from its smokestack.  They neglect to mention that this plant was cleaned up over 20 years ago!