A popular myth among detractors of hybrid and electric vehicles is that the energy and materials that go into making batteries far outweighs any good they do under ownership.
Batteries aren’t as damaging as many suspect though, since so many of a battery’s components can be recycled.
Honda is doing just that with the nickel-metal hydride batteries found in its hybrid vehicles.
Since the first Honda hybrid, the Insight launched in 1999, Honda has used nickel-metal hydride chemistry in its batteries. The company has only recently changed to lithium ion with the 2013 CR-Z and new Accord Hybrid, but it means there are plenty of old nickel batteries out there on the roads.
Honda has invented a new process to extract an oxide containing rare earth metals like nickel from old batteries.
Source: Green Car Reports