Toyota lands $4.5M to boost EV battery sustainability
Toyota just got a $4.5 million boost from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to make EV batteries more sustainable.
The funding comes from ARPA-E’s CIRCULAR program, which focuses on creating a sustainable, domestic supply chain for EV batteries.
The project, led by Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA), aims to tackle one of the EV industry’s biggest challenges: What do we do with old batteries?
Right now, disassembling battery packs and figuring out which parts can be reused or recycled is a slow, manual, and costly process. Toyota, teaming up with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Baker Hughes’ Waygate Technologies, is working to change that.
Building the battery recycling center of the future
The project will focus on resolving the primary bottlenecks in the battery supply chain cycle, which are automating battery pack disassembly, data-driven battery classification, and addressing cell degradation. Think of it as a high-tech recycling center where every part of a used battery is carefully evaluated.
This approach could extend the life of valuable battery materials, reducing waste and the need to mine new resources. The ultimate goal? A blueprint for what Toyota calls a “3R facility of the future” – a place to reduce, reuse, and recycle batteries on an industrial scale.
Nik Singh, principal scientist at TRINA and principal investigator on this project, says the project could reshape how the industry approaches battery recycling:
This project and program will highlight avenues for everyone to rethink their approach to battery circularity, and help prioritize the extension of battery life, facilitate battery reuse, and reduce battery waste.
Tech innovations to close the loop
The team’s plan includes:
- Automated battery pack disassembly to speed up the recycling process.
- Advanced diagnostic tools to assess the condition of battery cells and modules.
- Refabrication methods to turn old cells into new energy systems.
The payoff? Batteries that are reused and refurbished first – recycling becomes the last resort.
Marm Dixit, leading ORNL’s contributions, points out the environmental benefits. “By extending the life of the battery components, we reduce their total emissions per mile. That’s a big deal for the role EVs can play in the energy transition,” Dixit said.
NREL’s role will involve cutting-edge tech like machine learning and imaging using nano computed tomography to analyze the health and lifespan of batteries quickly. Baker Hughes’ Waygate Technologies will bring its expertise in non-destructive testing with advanced imaging systems.
Toyota’s Battery Lifecycle Solutions (BLS) team plans to take these innovations from the lab to real-world applications. “By applying the innovations established from this project, we aim to create a framework that not only reduces battery waste but also enhances the circularity of our battery supply chain,” said Sarah Kennedy, BLS manager, who is leading the technology to market deployment.
Read more: EV batteries may last up to 40% longer than expected – Stanford
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Environment
Honda teases two 0 Series EV prototypes to be unveiled at CES and hit the global market in 2026
Honda announced it will be back at CES this year, unveiling the next phase of its new 0 Series line of EVs. At this year’s event in Las Vegas, Honda intends to unveil two prototype EVs based on the concepts that debuted a year prior. This will be our next look at Honda’s 0 Series progress as it looks to bring these two initial models to market in 2026.
While Honda is a household name in automotive and other motor-powered vehicles, its presence in the EV space has been limited but growing. The company currently sells the Prologue EV, built atop GM’s Ultium Platform, but it has yet to deliver US consumers an entirely bespoke model.
That era will begin with Honda’s upcoming 0 Series line of all-electric vehicles. We got our first public view of Honda’s new 0 Series design language during CES 2024 this past January when the Japanese automaker unveiled two EV concepts called “Saloon” and “Space-Hub.”
At the time, Honda said the two concepts represented a design precursor to Honda’s next-generation EVs. This past October, I visited Honda’s design center in Japan, where I saw the Saloon concept inside and out. I even got to test drive the automaker’s new 0 Series EV platform. However, it was implemented on an Accord body, so it was difficult to get a feel for how its upcoming bespoke models, like the Saloon, will drive.
Honda has previously stated that the Saloon will be one of two passenger EVs to hit the market in the 0 Series, and the automaker has taken the next step in that process, moving from concepts to prototypes, which it is now teasing ahead of their reveal at CES 2025.
Honda to unveil two 0 Series prototypes, new tech at CES
Honda posted the two teaser images above today, along with the date and location of their official reveal at CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7. According to Honda, these prototypes represent the next models in the Honda 0 Series, which are slotted to hit global market in 2026.
Honda has yet to share many more details about the EV prototypes, but they are clearly evolutions of the Saloon and Space-Hub concepts that debuted at least one year ago. It seems these two bespoke BEVs will be the first in Honda’s 0 Series lineup to hit the market and offer very different designs for consumers. Per the release:
In January at CES 2024, Honda premiered the Honda 0 Series and its ‘Thin, Light and Wise’ development approach. At CES 2025, Honda will provide further details on this approach with a focus on the ‘Wise’ value.
The “Thin, Light, and Wise” approach was at the core of all of Honda’s presentations and demonstrations during my five days in Japan earlier this year, and I learned a lot about the company’s goals and philosophy as it looks to catch up in a an exciting and ever-evolving global EV market.
That being said, the Honda team kept most of its cards to its chest and was extremely vague about what technologies that we were shown would actually make their way into bonafide production EVs. I found Honda’s unique production and assembly techniques most fascinating, especially since it was some of the only concrete tactics we could confirm.
Equipment like 6,000-ton megacasting machines—six of which will go into operation at Honda’s US production facility in Ohio—and Honda’s proprietary Constant DC Chopping (CDC) welding technology will help the automaker reduce the number of individual parts and overall vehicle weight while increasing passive safety performance.
In terms of the specs of Honda’s 0 Series EVs, however, we are still very much in the dark. In addition to unveiling its two EV prototypes, Honda said it would introduce a new vehicle OS and automated driving technologies that will be implemented in the 0 Series models. So, we will get more insight into what these future BEVs can do (finally).
At CES 2025, Honda will also provide an overview of the System on Chip (SoC) that will support the Honda 0 Series models and the Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV), which is “at the core of the ‘Wise’ value.” All eyes will be on the Honda booth on January 7, 2025, when we will follow up with a full recap.
Honda CES 2025 press conference details:
Date/Time: Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 10:30 – 11:00 AM (local time)
Venue: Honda booth (West Hall, booth #4640) at Las Vegas Convention Center
Livestreaming URL: https://youtube.com/live/3M87dqNbY3U
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
![Jaguar's controversial $200,000 ultra-luxury EV spotted out in public [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/Jaguars-electric-GT.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Jaguar’s radical new EV has been the center of attention over the past few weeks. For better or worse, the British automaker is plowing ahead with plans to turn sales around with a new lineup of ultra-luxury electric models. As it prepares for a new era, Jaguar’s first EV, an electric 4-door GT, was just spotted in public. Check out the video of the controversial model below.
After unveiling its new Type 00 EV concept, Jaguar has seen more attention over the past month than it has in the past 20 years.
The company claimed the concept was “Jaguar at its best,” showing “an unmistakable, unexpected and dramatic physical manifestation” of the brand. It was unmistakable and unexpected to see the least.
Some loved Jaguar’s bold new design, while many teased the company. Even Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk and Lucid Motors had something to say. Musk wrote on X, “Do you sell cars?” while Lucid responded with a photo of its souped-up Air Sapphire luxury sedan.
Jaguar will stop building most models by the end of the year as it preps for a new all-electric luxury lineup. Although Jaguar Land Rover said the new EVs would cost over £100,000 ($130,000), prices will be even higher.
In an interview with The Sunday Times (Via EuroNews) earlier this month, CEO Adrian Mardell said that the new lineup will likely be priced around £150,000, or nearly $200,000.
With its official debut coming up, Jaguar’s first EV from the new lineup was spotted testing in public. The new video from KindelAuto reveals the 4-door test vehicle near JLR’s engineering center.
Despite the camouflage, you can see the prototype stays close to the Type 00 concept design with a fastback profile and “exuberant proportions.”
Jaguar will reveal its new 4-door EV GT in late 2025, with sales expected to follow in mid-2026. Based on its new JEA (Jaguar Electric Architecture), the company expects an EPA driving range of 430 miles (692 km) and up to 478 miles (770 km) on the WLTP cycle.
What do you think of Jaguar’s controversial new luxury EV? Can it survive the transition? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Walmart is working with community solar developer and operator Nexamp to build 31 community solar farms across the US.
The community solar farms are expected to generate over 120 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy, create 1,500 construction and operation jobs, and help thousands of households and businesses save money on their energy bills.
This isn’t Walmart’s first collaboration with Nexamp – in 2021, they worked together on a group of solar projects in New York. Now, they’re expanding the effort to bring solar access to communities in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, and Minnesota.
Community solar makes it easier for people to take advantage of clean energy. By subscribing to energy from these solar farms, residents and businesses can lower their utility bills without needing rooftop panels or paying upfront costs. Nexamp estimates these projects will collectively save subscribers over $2 million each year.
“Working with Walmart to expand access to affordable, clean energy is an exciting opportunity for Nexamp and for the communities we serve,” said Nexamp CEO Zaid Ashai. “Together, we are working to deliver benefits for thousands of households across the country.”
Frank Palladino, Walmart’s vice president of renewable energy strategy, highlighted the impact: “Our collaboration with Nexamp is intended to help communities save money on energy bills, strengthen local grid infrastructure, and drive local job creation.”
Walmart has made a pledge to enable 10 GW of new clean energy projects by 2030.
Read more: Wisconsin’s most powerful solar farm just got the go-ahead
If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports9 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway