Top Hybrid Cars

4 Comments

• 1. Galaxie500XL  |  July 26th, 2010 at 7:48 am

  For the Toyota, the battery pack is waranteed for 8 years. Current substitution cost is $3.,000.

  Substitution cost for a Honda Insight is $3600.

• 2. Knock N  |  July 26th, 2010 at 7:48 am

  If what Treebeard and galaxie said is right then I wouldn’t bother replacing the batteries, 3 or 4k for a new battery would be more than that car would even be worth in 10 years.

• 3. dana1981  |  July 26th, 2010 at 8:14 am

  Hybrid batteries are expected to last the lifetime of the car. Priuses used as taxis have over 200,000 miles on the original batteries, and are below warranty for 8-10 years (10 years in California, 8 somewhere else).

  As was stated, a substitution battery pack expenditure about $3000, assuming the batteries die after the warranty runs out.

• 4. professorprius  |  July 26th, 2010 at 9:12 am

  Hi, get something nice and caffeinated and get comfy…

  As far as the nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery goes, the current record for a Prius is over 360,000 miles with the original NiMH battery and hybrid drive train. Prius are regularly used for taxis and government use (see New York and the disorder of Colorado).

  I have spoken with owners of independent auto shops who regularly see Prius with 100,000-200,000 and up to over 350,000 miles coming in for routine service work with no issues.

  As far as replacing the batteries in 100,000 miles, Toyota has by no means had a consumer pay to replace a NiMH battery in any of their hybrids ever. That is for Prius, Camry Hybrids or Highlander Hybrids. The Prius have been in the US since 2000, seven years.

  There have been NiMH batteries replaced because of accidents or owner hurt or neglect (wiring in a huge stereo, for example), but no one has ever had to pay if not.

  BTW, as far as the “$5000-10,000″ for a new NiMH battery goes, that is completely mistaken. Call your local Toyota dealer and question for the parts department.

  New NiMH batteries for either the first or the second generation Prius run $2985.13.

  These are not typos and anything you may have seen to the divergent is an urban myth.

  All of my service and parts amounts come from a local Toyota dealership, and do not figure in any kind of promotions, coupons, or discounts. I called on 6/12/07.

  Also, there is an 800 number on each NiMH battery (the one that provides the energy to go the Prius, Camry, or Highlander Hybrids) and that number allows a person to turn in that battery for a $200.00 gift.

  The full battery, just like nearly every small bit of those vehicles, is completely recyclable.

  The NiMH batteries that people use in power tools and throw out use a different type of control system and charger than what is in vehicles like the Prius. The Hybrid Synergy Drive unit that Toyota developed is designed to keep the NiMH battery in a mid-peak charge range, trying not to top-charge it or, of course, completely discharge it.

  That enables a vehicle NiMH to last honestly indefinitely. Obviously, there will be some breakdown eventually, but one of the fantastic things about the Prius system, for example, is the NiMH battery is collected of 36 individual cells. If one cell goes terrible, it can be replaced and the remainder stay. That is what’s happened when Toyota has torture tested the Prius in Alaska and Death Valley.

  The government has tested Prius batteries and found that there was a 10% reduction in power output at 100,000 miles. That earnings there was still 90% usable capacity at the point where the myths say the NiMH batteries are used up.

  And that’s about it. No surprises and the maintenance is pretty unadorned.

  One last point, Prius are really equal to the Camry or Accord in terms of build quality, size, and features, and even comes with more ordinary equipment, at the entry amount, than either of those vehicles at their entry amount.

  Prius are not equal to Corollas or Civics.

  The note was made that a ten year ancient hybrid would be worth less than the cost of replacing the battery (assuming it even looked-for to be replaced). Ten year ancient Camrys and Accords, with 100,000 miles on them, are worth much more than $3000. Try and find a Prius or Civic Hybrid with 40-50 or 80,000 miles on them and see how much they are worth. Drive through a few auto lots or look through the paper and see for yourself.

  There have been too many hybrids bought, and there have been too many miles place on them, for this to still be a fluke or fringe type of vehicle. You would have heard real news if they were a terrible thought, not just the urban myths that float around.

  Excellent luck with your choice.

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