Toyota Puts Used Hybrid Batteries to Good Use
Toyota is breathing new life into its old hybrid batteries.
The company has contributed 208 used Camry Hybrid nickel-metal hydride battery packs to the Lamar Buffalo Ranch field campus in Yellowstone National Park, helping create a distributed energy system that combines solar power generation with the re-used battery packs.
The Lamar Buffalo Ranch now has reliable, sustainable and zero-emission power for the ranger station and education center for the first time since it was founded in 1907. The used Camry Hybrid battery packs provide 85kWh of energy storage, while the solar system generates enough electricity to power six average U.S. households per year.
The Japanese automaker also announced that onsite micro-hydro turbine systems that capture energy from a neighboring stream will join the power mix in 2016.
SEE ALSO: 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review
Toyota’s engineers believe this type of use will double the overall lifespan of the hybrid batteries. Prior to being installed at the Yellowstone National Park, each battery pack was disassembled and tested. New components were designed and built by partner Indy Power Systems specifically for this application, including an onboard battery management system for each battery pack.
“Through our long-standing partnership with Yellowstone National Park and the Yellowstone Park Foundation, Toyota has helped preserve Yellowstone for future generations,” said Jim Lentz, chief executive officer, Toyota North America. “Today, our relationship with Yellowstone continues, as more than 200 battery packs that once powered Toyota Camry hybrids have found a new home on the range.”
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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