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Used Hybrid Market Soars

But buyers beware pricey replacement batteries in aging green cars

By Jim O'Neill, Newser User

Posted May 28, 2008 10:22 AM CDT

(Newser) – The rising price of gasoline has heated up the used hybrid market, leading Newsweek writer Keith Naughton to wonder about the staying-power of the pricey battery the part-electric cars run on. Initial fears that Prius batteries would die well before the expected life of the car have proven unfounded, and the cost has come down dramatically, but when they do go, replacements are still in the $3,000 to $4,000 range.

That's why an underground aftermarket in Prius batteries is emerging, with used batteries going for $450 to $1,700 on eBay. Installation can cost another $900, and it's not a good DIY project, Naughton says. Still, hybrid battery failure is rare, he concludes, and Honda and Toyota are expected to cut the cost of replacement batteries in the next couple months.

Unsold 2008 Prius hybrid sedans sit on a lot at a Toyota dealership. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

A Honda Civic hybrid. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, file)

A Toyota Prius hybrid compact car is exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, FILE)

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Used Hybrid Market Soars

But buyers beware pricey replacement batteries in aging green cars

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Ford, Toyota Join Forces on Hybrid System

Partnership prompted by airport-terminal chat

Toyota Rolls Out New Family of Priuses

A station wagon, a city car, a plug-in, oh my!

Prius Growing Noisier to Warn Pedestrians

Toyota offers 'humming device' to help people hear hybrid coming

Honda Recalls 384K Vehicles

Faulty ignition locks can cause cars, SUVs to roll away

Don't Fear Those Computers Inside Your Car

Software is buggy, but then, so are we

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Used Hybrid Market Soars

But buyers beware pricey replacement batteries in aging green cars

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

battery • Toyota Prius • auto industry • hybrid car • Honda Civic

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Ford, Toyota Join Forces on Hybrid System

Partnership prompted by airport-terminal chat

Toyota Rolls Out New Family of Priuses

A station wagon, a city car, a plug-in, oh my!

Prius Growing Noisier to Warn Pedestrians

Toyota offers 'humming device' to help people hear hybrid coming

Honda Recalls 384K Vehicles

Faulty ignition locks can cause cars, SUVs to roll away

Don't Fear Those Computers Inside Your Car

Software is buggy, but then, so are we

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?