Blog with readers misconceptions about the Prius

[Joannerice]

This was posted on my favorite blog: "Until better batteries are developed, factor in an expensive replacement cost every five years or so. Also, crashes become hazmat cleanups, and in crashes with full-size vehicles the Prius and other lightweights always lose. What's that worth in virtue? " Is that true about "hazmat" cleanups? If anyone cares to reply to some of the misconceptions:

The J-Walk Blog: Hybrid Cars (Comments)

[dogfriend]

I don't have the patience or the need to argue with every misinformed person who posts on the internet, but if you want to use these thoughts, be my guest:

1. The battery warranty for my car (07 Prius, bought in Calif) is 10yrs/150k miles whichever comes first. If the battery needs to be replaced every 5 yrs, then Toyota will be replacing at least one battery in my car for free. Not likely.

2. The Emergency Response Guide for the Prius says that the HV battery is very unlikely to leak, even when damaged in a collision. The electrolyte is in gel form and absorbed into the battery cell plates. In the event of spillage, the electrolyte can be neutralized by a weak acid (boric or acetic aka vinegar). The location of the battery above the rear axle makes it unlikely to be damaged except in the most extreme collisions. The danger of a gasoline spill and fire is many times more likely.

[miscrms]

Posted comment:

Yet another poorly executed comparison.

The Escape Hybrid has options and performance comparable to the XLT V6 Auto, and the author compares it to a Base 4cyl stick. Most people in this country demand an auto, and reviews find the 4cyl pathetically underpowered. If you are happy with a base 4cyl stick, great. Most people won't be.

Escape Hybrid: $23,640 (after $3k tax credit, still in force for Ford)
XLT V6 Auto: $22,695
Difference: $945

EPA Estimated Annual Fuel Savings: $1049

Payback: 10.8 months

NimH hybrid batteries (which all hybrids currently use) have been on the road since 1997 and failures are still rare over 10 years later. Many are warrantied to 8yrs/150,000 and are lasting even longer than that. Priuses being driven as Taxis are already racking up hundreds of thousands of miles on their original battery. When and if one does fail, a junkyard replacement from a low mile wreck runs about $500 and is basically plug and play.

Lots more I wanted to say, but up against the character limit.

The whole hazmat thing is nonsense. A NimH battery is considerably less toxic and less dangerous than many of the other things that come out of a car in a wreck. The electrolyte is Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), which is not the nicest stuff out there but breaks down quickly and can be neutralized with vinegar. The KOH also isn't really in a liquid form, so its not going to be splashing around all over the place. I'd be much more concerned about the ethylene glycol from the antifreeze, sulfuric acid from the starter battery, and gasoline present in any vehicle.

Rob