battert replacements?

. . . and that far in the future, Toyota will probably have some seriously upgraded battery technology that would improve the overall performance of the Prius - along with a software update to take full advantage of the new battery. (supper caps?)

 

I seriously doubt that a radically different battery will ever be available for today's Prius. Since the battery never wears out, there just won't be a market for the conversion of old cars to a new technology. And there will no doubt be far more differences than just a better battery. Merely reprogramming the present computer probably won't be enough.

However, by the same token, in 4 years from now, used batteries (from wrecked cars) will be available much cheaper than they are today, because demand for them will be so low.

Of course, the next major model revision could very well have such improved technology that we'll all be rushing to get on the waiting list again.

 

The battery pack on the current Prius is also an integral part of the car’s frame/rigidity system. Unless Toyota plans on redesigning the car body, I am more inclined to believe that Toyota will keep the same battery form factor and change out the innards with the new battery technology -whatever it may be. Backwards compatibility to an ‘04 -‘0x would then primarily be a software update to allow the Prii to safely take full advantage of the new battery - within both the Prii and battery’s design limitations. If such a battery were to exist in the future, you can be sure current Prii owners would consider the cost/advantages compared to installing someone else’s used battery from salvage.

As it stands now, the current Prii captures a small percentage of the energy produced with regenerative braking. If the new battery pack could increase the existing car’s efficiency by a large enough percentage, you can bet that Toyota would be looking at potential aftermarket conversions as an income stream too. Toyota is not the type of company to redesign a part when it doesn’t need to, nor to let potential income streams fall by the wayside. Just look at TRD as an example.
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Sufferin': I highly doubt that the next major model revision (with, presumably, a more advanced electrical storage system, whether battery, capacitors, or both) will keep the same body. It will be similar, due to the necessity of aerodynamics, but they'll want it to be distinctive.

Burstman: congratulations on your upcoming new car. You're gonna love it!

 

This might be Prius Urban legend material, but I read that Toyota recently purchased a 2000 Prius back from its owner who used it as a taxicab in New York. The car had 200k miles on it and the battery was still ok. And this was a Classic Prius; the 2004-05 Prii have improved batteries in them. I don't think a battery failure should keep you awake at night.
Toyota parts are more expensive, on the whole, than parts for GM or Ford cars, but they need parts less frequently, so it evens out, I suppose. I think the Prius is probably the best engineered car value on the market today.
Just my unbiased thought.
Bob

 

I'd say the scale is way over on the Toyota side: parts a little more expensive, but much less likely to need replacement.

Agree 100% that Prius is the best value for your money of any car on the road today.

 

I wish you guys would quit saying that no battery has ever need replacing. There is a case on this forum, or on PriusOnline where we helped a lady get a new battery from salvage for her boyfriend's classic. The battery was not properly holding a charge. Granted, we could say it is extremely rare, as he had over 200K on his car, to the point of practically never, but we can't say it hasn't been replaced EVER.

 

http://www.priusonline.com/viewtopic.php?t=1842

 

Thanks for the correction, DanMan. Still, one case in all the years and units of Prius, and that at 245,000 miles, ain't bad.

As for an aftermarket battery upgrade, count me in. I'll buy it, providing I can get it professionally installed. Not within my DIY capability.

 

ok fine.... when i hit 200,000 miles, i'll start worrying about it...

 

I'm going to be under 7,500 miles when I hit one year of ownership next month. And I expect to trade mine in as soon as the next major model revision comes out. What, maybe 5 or 6 years? I guess I won't worry about the battery.

 

5 or 6 years???

i sure hope not. every major revision has come every 3 years so i expect that to be the same.

so i am tempted to put my name on the list for a 2007 Prius now...maybe i can reduce my wait time...

 

I hope you're right. But I'm not an optimist. I'm looking at the supposed average for Toyota, rather than the very short history of the Prius. Four years from now would be my most optimistic hope. I'll happily eat my words with catsup if I'm wrong, being careful not to get any on the upholstery as I drive to the dealer for the trade-up.