Hybrid Battery Expenses Are No Longer Hidden Costs

Hybrids are eco-friendly. They are not entirely beneficial to the environment, but at least they're not causing as much damage as their internal-combustion-only counterparts. Due to the fact that we're exploring new grounds with this innovative technology, one might think that it could be flawed and pose unknown or hidden dangers, such as a replacement battery pack that would go sky-high and render our investment unprofitable. According to a study carried out by a Malaysian publication, such fears are ungrounded.

A Toyota Prius which used to cost RM175,000 (about US $56,000) on the Malaysian market is now available for RM139000 (US $44,600), while the Honda Civic Hybrid is priced at RM 108,980 (about US $35,000), cheaper by RM21,000 (US $6,700).

The reduced prices surely make those eco-friendly cars more attractive to the buyer, but what actually goes on in the consumer's mind is a battle between gas-saving and batteries expenses. One might think that because of the cutting-edge technology used in the making of the battery pack, a replacement will be overpriced.

In an effort to bring hybrids into public attention, The Star has published a report that contradicts rumors of battery packs being expensive. According to the report, a battery pack for the Prius costs RM11,500 (about US $3,700). A Honda Civic Hybrid battery costs RM12,000 (US $3,850) which is about the same, only customers who buy it from authorized dealers benefit from a 15% discount. Comparing those prices to the initial price of the vehicle, the battery accounts for about 10 percent.

Furthermore, the warranties for the Prius or the Civic Hybrid are 3 years or 100,000 km (62,137 miles) and both cover the batteries as well.

Toyota claims there has not been a single battery replacement due to wear and tear in the US, where the Prius has been in sale since 2000.

Priuses used as taxis in the US have clocked up to 400,000 km (about 250,000 miles) without any hybrid component failure. A Prius taxi that clocked 550,000 km (approximately 340,000 miles) in Australia needed battery replacement due to a low voltage reading.

We think this is enough proof to reassure customers that hybrid cars are reliable and they are a good investment.