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Market for Prius upgrades

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Swanny1172, May 30, 2007.

  1. Swanny1172

    Swanny1172 New Member

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    With 200,000 or so Prius hybrids on the roads worldwide, I think there is an excellent market for upgrades. At some point, the original battery packs are going to need to be replaced. With all the lithium-ion technology that is coming to market, it is only a matter of time before a company markets a replacement/upgrade battery pack for the Prius.

    What do you think? Does it make sense? Would you spend $1,000 or so to upgrade your Prius to litium-ion batteries and plug-in capability?
     
    #1 Swanny1172, May 30, 2007
  2. finally_got_one

    finally_got_one New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ May 30 2007, 11:33 AM) [snapback]452245[/snapback]</div>
    I would like to see the Li-ion technology develop further before even thinking of updating the batteries, much less plug-in. My Prius is only a year old. After Toyota puts Li-ion into a production vehicle AND the technology proves itself, then maybe I would think about it. Maybe.
     
    #2 finally_got_one, May 30, 2007
  3. crypter

    crypter New Member

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    For $1K, I'd do it today...
     
    #3 crypter, May 30, 2007
  4. MickeyA

    MickeyA New Member

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    Wasn't there a couple of threads today stating Toyota delaying Lithium Ion into their cars?

    On first look, that opens the door to the secondary market. However, it could be muted it the Li-Ions are deemed warranty voidable by Toyota.
     
    #4 MickeyA, May 30, 2007
  5. dmckinstry

    dmckinstry New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ May 30 2007, 12:33 PM) [snapback]452245[/snapback]</div>
    For $1000 to upgrade my existing Prius, I wouldn't even blink. However, I'm not about to trade-in my Prius, as the loss would be a lot more than $1000.

    Dave M.
     
    #5 dmckinstry, May 30, 2007
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    $1,000? yeah probably. Realistically though, I don't think it's $1,000 today but at least it'll give the people options when they buy a used Prius or those with current Priuses that don't want to upgrade to the new one (for whatever reasons)
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, May 30, 2007
  7. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    Right, the prices I've heard are closer to $10,000.
     
    #7 aaf709, May 30, 2007
  8. msirach

    msirach Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ May 30 2007, 04:32 PM) [snapback]452335[/snapback]</div>
    10 to $12000 is what I've read.

    Watch the developments at 99mpg
     
    #8 msirach, May 30, 2007
  9. Swanny1172

    Swanny1172 New Member

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    What I was asking is a purely hypothetical question. I understand that Li-Ion technology is prohibitively expensive today, but we are all going to see that cost curve come down quickly in the next few years.

    With 200,000 used Prius on the road, sooner or later they all are going to need a battery transplant. Since Toyota seems to be neglecting the replacement battery market, perhaps their is an opportunity for someone to develop a Li-Ion replacement battery for the Prius and other hybrids.
     
    #9 Swanny1172, May 30, 2007
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