Battery Life...

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.

 

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

 

<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.

 

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.

 

<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)

 

<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.

 

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

 

<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.

 

<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

 

<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.