plastic smell (new car smell)

That vent doesn't do much of anything unless the traction battery fan is running. When the fan is running, it is sucking air out of the passenger compartment through that vent, that air is then blown over the traction battery and then ducted out the right rear side of the car like you want.

 

Why not? The chemical outgassing is a decay process, so there will always be some. I could still smell 'new car' in my Subaru after 11 years.

Another possibility is that the dealer sprayed it with 'new car' scent. In which case it should flush reasonably quickly. But complain to them anyways.

 

What makes you think the odor is coming from the battery?

 

My car gets the 'new car smell' when I get it professionally detailed (interior). It is possible that the previous owner got it detailed before selling it.

 

Personally I would accept it as a positive aspect. I recently ( in late 2010 ) purchased 2005 Prius and still have new car smell.

I've seen and tested 2008 Prius which smelled damp and was wet inside.

If you don't like that smell leave a car for a day with open all doors open (make sure to hover the car and then possibly valet it with some foam chemicals) then leave it for a day to dry with open doors. second day repeat process with open all doors, then leave a Ocean smell in the car vent (or Pine etc).

You will be fine.

 

Mine didn't come with a flying option....

 

This thread is pretty funny. Be aware, as insinuated above, "new car smell" can be purchased in a spray can and used to help sell a car. You can also purchase "leather smell". In fact, the Zaino leather products include it in their chemicals.

At any rate, that vent on the rear seat back -sucks- air. Air DOES NOT flow out of it into the cabin. Further, the battery is SEALED! NO fumes will be vented!

The fears I see expressed on the internet are pretty funny. Be aware, DRIVING your car in traffic is MUCH more dangerous than any chemical, radiation, magnetic field etc etc you -could- or -could not- encounter!

 

Someone most likely detailed as described or worse steam cleaned the sh*tty seat covers and or carpets. I have never smelled the new car smell complaints I hear about on this thread because on day 1 I covered the seats with Wet Okole's. I also went to a fabric store and bought a big sheet of muslim (?) not sure if thats the term but think a cloth almost as tough as canvas and covered the entire back area carpet with that cloth as I have never had the back seats up. There always down in cargo mode. No oem seat smells. I have good carpet mats too.

Now since were talking smells there's been a million complaints about the odor out of the ac vents but thats easily fixed by a spray kit the dealer sells. Smells like stinky gym socks when you first turn the ac on.
The fix is a spray can kit of microidial cleaner injected into the coil box under the dash and works good. But sounds like its not an ac vent smell just weird chemical smell. I have an 07 too and a very good nose and I do not smell that in my car.

Smell the seats and the carpet carefully.