Toyota Secures $4.5 Million to Enhance EV Battery Circular Supply Chain

Funding to Support Circularity in EV Battery Lifecycle
Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. (TEMA) has received a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to advance the development of a domestic, circular supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This funding is part of the Catalyzing Innovative Research for Circular Use of Long-lived Advanced Rechargeables (CIRCULAR) program. The project, aimed at creating sustainable solutions for the reuse and recycling of EV batteries, will focus on enhancing battery lifecycle management, which is critical for reducing waste and improving sustainability in the EV industry.

Collaborative Project to Develop a 3R Facility for EV Batteries
Led by Toyota’s Research Institute of North America (TRINA) division, the project will involve collaborations with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Baker Hughes’ Waygate Technologies. The initiative aims to develop a new framework for a “3R” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) facility. This facility will tackle key challenges in the EV battery supply chain, such as automating battery pack disassembly, improving battery classification through data-driven methods, and addressing cell degradation issues, all of which are vital to extending the lifespan of batteries and enhancing their reuse before reaching the recycling stage.

Innovations in Battery Disassembly and Classification
A major focus of the project will be the development of automated disassembly processes for EV battery packs, which will improve efficiency in extracting reusable battery cells and components. Advanced diagnostic tools and procedures for classifying battery modules and cells will also be created. These innovations will allow for systematic evaluation and reuse of lithium-ion batteries, ensuring that they are properly assessed for their remaining lifespan and performance before being considered for recycling. By automating and optimizing these processes, the project aims to reduce the environmental impact of battery waste and promote a more circular approach to battery manufacturing.

Toyota’s Commitment to Sustainable Mobility
The project is aligned with Toyota’s broader sustainability goals, focusing on reducing battery waste, improving the circularity of the EV battery supply chain, and supporting the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility solutions. The results from this project will be applied to real-world settings by Toyota’s Battery Lifecycle Solutions (BLS) team, which is dedicated to implementing these innovations and creating a more sustainable framework for managing the lifecycle of EV batteries.