With around 150,000 Toyota hybrids registered in New Zealand, starting with the Prius which first arrived on these shores in 2001 and now featuring as a powertrain option for most Toyota models, there is a growing demand from hybrid owners of older models for replacement batteries.
Recognising that demand is only likely to grow for replacement hybrid batteries for existing Hybrid Synergy Drive vehicles, Toyota New Zealand has genuine hybrid batteries available as a stock item in New Zealand. However, unlike a standard 12-volt car battery, only qualified and trained technicians should remove and replace a hybrid battery.
Hybrid Synergy Drive refers to Toyota’s hybrid drivetrain that combines a petrol engine, two electric motor/generators, a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and a high-voltage battery pack. Hybrid Synergy Drive can operate the vehicle in electric-only mode, petrol-only mode, or a combination of both depending on the situation.
Removing a hybrid high voltage battery
To safely remove the hybrid high voltage battery, and to avoid personal injury, it is essential that the correct handling procedure is followed.
Hybrid HV batteries should only be handled by professional automotive engineers or dismantlers. On its website, Toyota provides detailed guides for removing hybrid batteries from 13 models, including the Camry, Prius and RAV4. Technicians and dismantlers who need to safely remove a hybrid HV battery from a vehicle should first consult the removal guide.
Toyota New Zealand will not be held accountable for any damage or harm caused while removing a Hybrid HV Battery. The dismantling guides are not intended for use by the public and must not be made available to anyone other than suitably trained staff.
Don’t throw it away
Reducing their impact through a commitment to achieving a circular economy is important for Toyota. As part of Toyota New Zealand’s commitment to the environment, a recycle process is available where Toyota New Zealand will return the materials to Japan and ultimately be used in battery-to-battery recycling to power the next generation of electrified vehicles.
Toyota New Zealand recovers Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) high voltage batteries and sends them to their global recycle partners. The marque is actively working on second life activities in cases where batteries have remaining useful life. Toyota believes remanufacturing for in-vehicle use is the best available option for Nickel Metal Hydride batteries commonly used in Toyota hybrids.
The recycling service is free for all Toyota Hybrid vehicle customers. HV Lithium-ion HV batteries will be collected and safely stored for future recycling.
With a verified recycle partner on board to handle hybrid batteries, Toyota New Zealand is encouraging all motor vehicle repairers, motor mechanics and dismantlers to send used hybrid batteries to the recycler so they can be recycled and reused responsibly. For more details: Hybrid Battery Recycling | Toyota New Zealand - Toyota NZ
