New Prius Batteries?

Question

Does anyone know how much and how often you have to replace the electric batteries on the Toyota Prius?

Answer 1

Which battery are you asking about?

The 12v lead-acid accessory battery is like that in any other automobile. It can last many years if treated well. Or it may have to be replaced sooner if you deplete it by the common ways, such as leaving your headlights on overnight or not driving the vehicle for many weeks... Highest replacement cost I've seen is in the $300 range for new Toyota parts.

The NiMH hybrid traction battery is probably what you're asking about. The federal hybrid system warranty on the Prius is 8 years/100,000 miles (and it is NOT pro-rated), unless you have an AT-PZEV model in a CA emissions state, where the hybrid battery is covered for 10 years/100,000 miles. (Note: just because a warranty expires, doesn't mean that the component will also! Bumpers do not fall off when the bumper to bumper warranty expires!)

There have been few reported hybrid batteries replaced that have needed to be replaced... How long they last - well, that's still to be determined (not enough replacements to quote).

For the Prius, new the hybrid battery is running about US$1100 (as of spring 2006), but if you were to buy one off of eBay from a wrecked vehicle it is usually less than US$1000, closer to the US$500 range. (And Toyota will pay you $200 to return the old hybrid battery to them for recycling.)

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyota-prius/message/91293 (warranty hybrid battery replacement for an internal short on a Prius)

taken from a June 2004 Press Release:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/Releases/View?id=TYT2004062345528

How long does the Prius battery last and what is the replacement cost?

The Prius battery (and the battery-power management system) has been designed to maximize battery life. In part this is done by keeping the battery at an optimum charge level - never fully draining it and never fully recharging it. As a result, the Prius battery leads a pretty easy life. We have lab data showing the equivalent of 180,000 miles with no deterioration and expect it to last the life of the vehicle. We also expect battery technology to continue to improve: the second-generation model battery is 15% smaller, 25% lighter, and has 35% more specific power than the first. This is true of price as well. Between the 2003 and 2004 models, service battery costs came down 36% and we expect them to continue to drop so that by the time replacements may be needed it won't be a much of an issue. Since the car went on sale in 2000, Toyota has not replaced a single battery for wear and tear.

Is there a recycling plan in place for nickel-metal hydride batteries?

Toyota has a comprehensive battery recycling program in place and has been recycling nickel-metal hydride batteries since the RAV4 Electric Vehicle was introduced in 1998. Every part of the battery, from the precious metals to the plastic, plates, steel case and the wiring, is recycled. To ensure that batteries come back to Toyota, each battery has a phone number on it to call for recycling information and dealers are paid a $200 "bounty" for each battery.

Answer 2

Toyota predict a life span of 8 years or more for the battery pack. Current pricing on the pack is around $3,000.00 but as more manufacturers roll out hybrid vehicles, economies of scale will slash those prices significantly.

Look at what happened with DVD players. They were over $1,000.00 when they first came out but you can buy one today for less than $50.00!

Also, the individual cells can be replaced if one should fail. In most cases you'll only have to replace a few cells at a time so the actual cost of maintaining the battery packs shouldn't be out of line especially when fuel savings are taken into consideration.

Answer 3

I have heard $3000 also. Upon resale or purchase I would discount the price of the car. There is no free lunch. What you save on gas probobly will not pay for the power supply.

But, you will lessen the cash flow of the Middle East oil producers and that is worthwhile!

Answer 4

1