Archive for April, 2010
How long do these Hybrid batteries last? What are the warranties on them & etc.? How often should they be replaced or maintenanced?
(Located in California, if that affects your answers)
Okay, in the "rare occurence" of a failed hybrid battery, how much would the battery replacement cost?
1. The hybrid battery is intended to last the lifetime of the car. In the US, Toyota warranties the entire hybrid system (including the hybrid battery) for 8 years/100,000 miles, and in CA-emission states the hybrid battery is further covered under the CA emissions warranty for 10 years/150,000 miles. That’s a full warranty, NOT pro-rated.
http://www.toyota.com/camry/warranty.html
There is no prescribed maintenance, nor a replacement interval. Individual bad cells could be replaced, but Toyota usually recommends just replacing the entire battery pack assembly (shorter labor time).
Used hybrid battery packs from wrecked Prius are going for less than US$1000 on eBay, so I’d expect similar when more TCH start wrecking out.
2. The 12v lead-acid accessory battery will depend on how you treat it, same as on any other traditional car. (Did you flatten it by leaving the headlights on overnight? Leave the car parked in airport parking over 2 weeks? etc.) After a while, you may find an older 12v battery may go flat on you after only a weekend of non-use. I’d say maybe an average of 5 years for a replacement interval, but just a guess. (The 12v battery boots the computers, which then connect up the hybrid battery which actually starts the car.)
Neighborhood Electric Vehicles, like the all-electric XEBRA sedan and the ZENN are getting more and more attention as gas prices and concerns over the environment increase.
Duration : 0:1:57
The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid has passed its most unusual task by now with flying colours in preparation for the Nürburgring 24 hour race on 15/16 May: AT&T Williams Formula 1 pilot Nico Hülkenberg tested the orange and white liveried racing 911 on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the lead up to the third round of the VLN Long Distance Championship.
Duration : 0:2:26
FBNs Jeff Flock on the automakers partnership with Azure Dynamics to make electric drive trains.
Duration : 0:2:3
Launch video for the Toyota Auris Hybrid, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show September 15th 2009.
Duration : 0:1:57
The cost of hybrid cars can range from $23,000 to $48,000 depending on the type of car and the features of the car. Learn about the different features of hybrid cars, such as side-curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes and five-start ratings, with information from a hybrid car salesman in this free video on hybrid cars.
Expert: Kyle Sperry
Contact: www.toyotaofTampaBay.com
Bio: Kyle Sperry is a direct sales manager at Toyota of Tampa Bay. Hes been working for Toyota for more than five years, and is hybrid-certified.
Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz
Duration : 0:1:34
I’m new to looking at hybrid cars and am not sure what I should be looking for. Any suggestions?
You can start by going to http://www.hybridcars.com
This site will give you all the info you want about Hybrids in general.
MY PICK:
Ford Escape Hybrid. It’s the ‘greenest’ SUV
It also has a large federal tax incentive available & it has actually gone DOWN in price each year of its production (‘05-’06-’07-’08)
Here’s a price comparison for you.
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/escape/…
(note; the ‘08 Hybrid Escape qualifies for a federal tax incentive of $3000 , which has NOT been applied to the prices shown in this example)
I’ve driven one extensively & it is really FUN to drive.
In my experience, I DOUBLED my MPG (hybrid vs non-hybrid V6 Escape, both 4X4 ) & I drive like a complete idiot!
Also New York City taxi drivers have put HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of miles on theirs (withno problems, btw) & if they can survive that kind of abuse ( LOL ) I think they can handle anything.
Plug in hybrid vehicles will be zooming along our roads soon and the Smart Grid is making it real. Visit www.itsyoursmartgrid.com or www.edisonsdesk.com for more information
Duration : 0:1:31
Racing the new Porsche Hybrid
Driving my Electric Car with my home made 3 phase inverter running a Siemens Ford Motor.
Duration : 0:2:22