China Car Times never truly understood the Chinese governments stance on the environment and hybrid cars. The environment in Chinese cities in less than admirable, yet the cost of a Toyota or Honda hybrid is the same as a decent 2.5l v6 or 3.0l car in China.
It seems Honda is aiming to buck the trend and is planning on petitioning the Chinese government into giving potential hybrid buyers incentives to buy a hybrid over a traditional gasoline motor. Honda is currently planning to import the Honda Civic Hybrid into China and plans on selling at least 200 of them in China before 2008, except the car costs 269,000rmb once it has been imported, a lot of money for a car that doesnt give a lot back.
The Toyota Prius is manufactured, and sold in China but sales remain pathetically small. The Chinese just havent embraced the hybrid car yet, and Prius sales reflect that very clearly with them just selling 16 in October, from Jan to Oct this year, Toyota have sold 2116 Prius’ in China.
Of course… how do you think Toyota and Honda have been able to sell hybrids? In the United States the government offers tax breaks on the vehicle or in certain states you’re allowed to use the high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV requries more than one person but the hybrids get away with it), so you can get to your destination faster. Hybrids…what a waste.
How much are the replacement batteries in a Prius? I was thinking today that the price of batteries for a Chinese buyer is going to be about the same amount as paying for gas over X no of years.
Since the Prius was introduced in 1998, I have yet to find a report of a hybrid battery replacement, at least under normal use. A kind of abnormal use occurs when the battery ventilation system becomes blocked or inoperative, causing the battery to overheat.
The batteries which are several times larger than the conventional 12 volt battery, are said to cost about $1000.
Dragin,
How many batteries are there? $1000USD worth of oil is good for me for about 1 year!
Ashley, there’s only one hybrid battery. Its located behind the rear seat and made up of 168 cells each producing 1.2 Volts.
Another conventional 12Volt (auxiliary) battery in the trunk is used for jump starting and to power the accessories.
It’s said that New York cab drivers have clocked 250,000 plus miles without a battery replacement.