TOYOTA HIGHLANDER battery pack

The nickel metal hydride battery applied in Highlander Hybrid-and the Lexus RX 400h-is packaged in a recently developed metal battery casing. The 240 cells can provide high voltage of 288 volts-but the motor-generators units can handle on variable voltage anywhere from 280 volts to 650 volts. The battery pack products 288 volts, but the boost converter, a part of the inverter above the transaxle, changes this to 500 volts. This battery pack gives 40 percent more power than the Prius battery, despite being 18 percent smaller.

Each of the modules has its own monitoring and cooling manage system. The cooling performance decreases performance losses due to excessive heat, ensuring that the battery can supply required electric power to the motors at all times. The battery-monitoring unit manages discharge and recharging by the generator and motors to keep the charge level constant while the car is running. The battery pack is stowed under the back seats.