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Some newbie questions on the 2017 Prius Prime

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Daniel Bliss, Nov 21, 2016.

  1. Daniel Bliss

    Daniel Bliss New Member

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    I'm interested in the 2017 Prius Prime, but I have a few questions regarding maintenance of the vehicle. I realize this is a brand new car and so the answers may not be out there yet. Nevertheless, I'm sure there are folks who either know the answers or can guess based on previous Prius experience (I'm a Camry owner and this will be my first hybrid):

    1. My understanding is that the Prime has 2 batteries; is this correct?

    2. Assuming average driving habits, how often do the batteries need to be replaced?

    3. What is the cost to replace the batteries?

    I know that the Prius is an exceptionally low maintenance automobile. My concern is that the necessity of replacing the battery (or batteries, in this case) may negate the cost savings in gasoline depending on the cost and frequency of that repair.

    Thanks in advance,
    Daniel
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!

    1) hybrid battery, 12v battery and 2 fob batteries.

    2) hybrid battery probably 150 - 250,000 miles. 12v every 6-8 years or so, and fobs every 3-4 years.

    3) by the time you need a hybrid battery, maybe a couple thousand, 12v battery around $100. and fob batteries a couple bucks each.

    4) the hybrid battery gets an 8 year 100,000 mile warranty in non carb states, and 10 years, 150,000 miles in carb states.
     
    Insirt and Tideland Prius like this.
  3. Daniel Bliss

    Daniel Bliss New Member

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    Thanks! My dealer got things mixed up I think, and told me 8 years / 150,000 miles (in Maryland). I'm pretty sure we're a carb state, and so am thinking it's 10 / 150k.

    I've read that the battery in the Prime is twice the size of the regular, gen 4 Prius battery (hence the hit in cargo space in the Prime), and so my concern is that the replacement cost for this battery may be considerably higher than even that of its plug-in predecessors.
     
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

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    It's 10/150,000 for a CARB state. That's just the battery only. I think the rest of the hybrid components are still 8/100,000. (Inverter, motor, HV cables etc)

    It's more than 10x the Gen 4 battery. The Prime has an 8.8kWh Li-ion battery. The Gen 4 w/ Li-Ion battery has a 0.7 kWh capacity.

    It will be higher in cost to replace. What that is, I guess we'll find out in 8 years or whoever needs a replacement that's over the 100,000 mile limit.
     
    RCO likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's twice the size of the plug in prius, aka pip. almost 5 years on the road, and no one has replaced a battery that we know of. if you're gonna keep the car longer than the warranty, i guess it's something to plan for, but i don't even know what a pip battery cost.
    one good thing is that, by the time you need a battery, there are plenty of wrecks to draw on.
     
    Dragon Rider, Prius Maximus and RCO like this.
  6. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    Have not known anyone who has had to have the battery replaced. That should not stop you from joining the Prius family.
     
  7. Prius Maximus

    Prius Maximus Senior Member

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    I had a 2004 with 200,000 miles when it got totalled. No evidence of battery degradation. No battery service, no repair, no replacement. No worries.
     
  8. frankie_delaware

    frankie_delaware Junior Member

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    I was considering the Prius Prime but my '06 gave up on the hybrid battery last week so now that I've had it replaced I'll wait a while to buy anything new. A Toyota remanufactured battery is $1800, plus a few hundred to install.

    But I've spent almost zero $ on any other maintenance, including I'm still on the original brakes! Given the savings in gas for the last 11 years I am still way ahead in the $ department.
     
    mmyk72 likes this.
  9. Dragon Rider

    Dragon Rider Active Member

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    My Gen 3 2012 did 107,000 then trade for 2016 Gen 4 this yr . The Prime I will wait a yr to get one . I am happy with it 18.00 a week dollar 600 miles. On the Prime how much is the home charging equipment?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 Dragon Rider, Nov 22, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2016