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Battery Life...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by TeePee06, May 9, 2007.

  1. TeePee06

    TeePee06 New Member

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    I was wondering, because I have heard many rumors on how long the batteries last, what is the life of the batteries?? And how much would they cost to replace? Since I am writing this, if I bought a prius in February (2007), do they still give the tax break ????
     
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    do not know but the oldest Prius taxi here (2004) has over 500,000kms on it.

    Currently, a brand new one costs US$2,100.

    Can't answer the tax break one since I'm not in the US
     
  3. fan-atic

    fan-atic New Member

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    As of Feb 2007 the tax credit was $1575. It went to one half that Mar 31 and for three months after that.

    The Battery is warranted for 150,000 miles in California and 100,000 miles for the rest of the country.
     
  4. SomervillePrius

    SomervillePrius New Member

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    The batteries should last as long as your car. As fan-atic pointed out they come with pretty decent guarantees. CA+MA+NY (I believe) and myabe some others get 150.000 miles while the rest of the country gets slightly lower promise. This because state regulations (push your state to join with CA in trying to reduce CO2 emissions!)

    The talk about battery life is for LiIon batteries. These are the batteries in laptops and coming out for next generation hybrids. These batteries can store/deliver a lot more energy which makes them attractive (for EVs) but they don't last as long as other batteries. People are working hard to solve this but for now the Prius uses NiMh batteries that will last a lot longer
     
  5. nerfer

    nerfer A young senior member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fan-atic @ May 9 2007, 11:52 PM) [snapback]438844[/snapback]</div>
    Yep, tax breaks are going down, but on the plus side, you're no longer paying MSRP so it all averages out the same (particularly if you get hit by AMT on your taxes, in which case the tax break may not apply anyway).

    Don't worry about the batteries, that's a concern originally raised by some hybrid-bashers that went away a long time ago, but the facts haven't reached everybody yet. As long as you don't try to drive after running out of fuel or otherwise intentionally abuse your batteries (I'm not even sure it's possible anymore) they will last well over 100K miles, and even when they start to degrade (some loss of performance), chances are you only need to replace a few cells, not the whole pack.

    Just don't expect EPA mileage, even if the salesman says you can. Most people get in the upper 40's average MPG. It depends on your commute, climate, and driving style. If you want, you can choose your route and driving style to get 60+ mpg, but that's not typical.
     
  6. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    I think it's reasonable to expect the NEW EPA mileage ratings. 46 MPG combined is doable by the majority of owners. The old numbers were a LOT harder to achieve, though there were plenty of folks who could do it.
     
  7. nerfer

    nerfer A young senior member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ May 10 2007, 12:38 PM) [snapback]439261[/snapback]</div>
    Are the new EPA numbers already on the stickers? I thought that was happening several months down the line yet. 46 is definitely doable. And my wife is getting mid-upper 50's on her first tank in typical Chicago suburbs commuting (we just switched vehicles since she has the longer commute). She found out on her own that getting up to speed, then letting off the accelerator a bit gives you improved gas mileage. She's getting better numbers than I ever did, I'm so proud of her! B)
     
  8. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nerfer @ May 10 2007, 12:49 PM) [snapback]439329[/snapback]</div>
    You could be right. I forgot that they might not be there yet (though, if they've already published 'em why wouldn't they be posted). Kudos to yer better half.
     
  9. FishHawk

    FishHawk New Member

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    46 is a more realistic number. I get that all the time. FishHawk
     
  10. Betelgeuse

    Betelgeuse Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ May 10 2007, 06:11 AM) [snapback]438946[/snapback]</div>
    The "California States" for the purpose of the emissions warranty are California, Oregon, Washington, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.

    As several people have pointed out, most of us aren't that worried about the batteries failing. Toyota expects them to last for the "life of the car," certainly over 150K miles, and probably for over 250K miles. Since the most recent incarnation of the Prius has only been on the road since 2004, no one can say absolutely for sure how they will last in the long term (as far as time), but as far as mileage, most results have been very promising; there have been very few cases of battery failure and even fewer that weren't covered under warranty.
     
  11. Canuck

    Canuck Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ May 10 2007, 10:38 AM) [snapback]439261[/snapback]</div>
    Yup! Agree with you Tripp. We covered 10386 miles last Sept from British Columbia to Nova Scotia , some in US and some in Canada, down the US East Coast, picked up I40 then across to LA, up the I5 to Canada. Av. 54 mpg Can (approx 46 US).
    Gary
     
  12. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TeePee06 @ May 9 2007, 08:59 PM) [snapback]438744[/snapback]</div>
    The eligibility for the tax credit expires as of Oct 1. As far as I know, widespread battery failure has yet to be reported. I suspect you will tire of the car or experience a collision before the traction battery dies.
     
  13. TeePee06

    TeePee06 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tripp @ May 10 2007, 02:18 PM) [snapback]439477[/snapback]</div>
    thank you all for helping me out with my prius and my questions.you guys are all awesome B)