Toyota to Develop Circular EV Battery Solutions

Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA) has secured US$4.5 million in funding from the US Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The funding, part of the CIRCULAR Program, aims to enhance the circular domestic supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.  

The project, led by TEMA’s Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA), focuses on developing an autonomous robotic disassembly process for battery pack circularity. Collaborators include Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Baker Hughes’ Waygate Technologies.  

ORNL will focus on streamlining the reuse of valuable battery components, while NREL will apply machine learning and imaging technologies for rapid assessment of battery health and failure modes. Meanwhile, Waygate Technologies will contribute advanced non-destructive testing tools, such as computed tomography and ultrasonic systems.  

Key objectives include creating tools for automated battery disassembly, advanced diagnostics for module and cell classification, and methods for refabricating reused cells into new energy systems. This initiative seeks to address bottlenecks in battery circularity, such as automation challenges, data-driven classification, and cell degradation.  

Nik Singh, Project Lead, TRINA, emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing battery lifecycle solutions. “This project highlights avenues to rethink battery circularity, extend battery life, and reduce waste,” he said.  

The project’s outcomes will be applied in industrial settings through Toyota Motor North America’s (TMNA) Battery Lifecycle Solutions (BLS) team. Sarah Kennedy, Manager, BLS, noted that the innovations aim to reduce battery waste and enhance supply chain circularity, aligning with Toyota’s sustainability goals.