joelcolorado wrote:Plus buying $7,000 in batteries at 100,000 miles adds to the cost. I was going to get one last year and then factored in all the costs and it wont pay even at $6 gas.
That's a myth. Prius batteries are currently in $3000 range and there are virtually NO (I think one or two) cases where main NiMH battery pack had to be replaced. Toyota offers 10+ year warranty in some states so engineered the battery to only go from about 40% full to 80% full. That's why their batteries last so much longer than consumer NiMH batteries.
I bought a 2008 Prius 1 month ago and am very happy with it. I replaced a 94 Jap sports car that got about 18 MPG with a car that I've squeezed as much as 60 MPG out of.
might save $600 per year in fuel versus a Honda Civic or Corolla or similar. Canadian rebates of $4k helped make my decision though.
Prius can be converted into a plug-in electric also. I will make this upgrade if and when it makes financial sense. Currently, electricity is cheaper than gas, but regular battery replacements every 2-5 years cost too much with current battery tech.
Toyota's main problem with ramping up Prius production now is supply of batteries. They are working to resolve the problem. Currently may people in US have to wait months and pay thousands over MSRP for a Prius. Easier to get here in Canada (23 days for me), but MSRP is hgher here, but we get $4k gov't rebate; going down to $2k for 2009 model year.
Prius is highest gas mileage 4 wheel vehicle available in Canada or US now (have to get a very small motorbike to beat MPG). It also has highest satisfaction rating and gets top marks from Consumer Reports.
If there are gas shortages or very high prices, IMO, the Prius will keep me and my family mobile in this semi-rural area where we have to go 5 miles for milk, bread, cigs, gas etc.
If there is absolutely no gas left, I'll be able to run the Prius at least 1-2 miles with the stock battery in EV mode, and with battery addons, I could go 40+ miles. Assuming I have someway to get electricity like solar, wind, James Bay hydro at 8 cents per KWH etc.
The kicker for me is I can also use the Prius as a generator. You can get 1000 watts continuous from 12v system, or 3-5+ KW continuous from the 200vdc HV battery. The engine will start and stop as needed to charge the batteries, and is quiet and very fuel efficient for a generator. All assuming you can get gasoline, but alcohol conversion is a possibility, or a retrofit of some other electric generating engine.