Hybrid Car Review

One big question that comes up time and again is how much will it cost to replace the battery pack once it dies.

Well, first of all, the chances of you owning the car when the battery pack dies is very small. These systems are designed to survive the life of the car. They are guaranteed to last 80K, 100K or 150K depending on the carmaker/state that you live in. But, still, people are worried about it.

Now, I don't know what the dealership would actually charge you if it came down to it (you were past the guarantee, the marketing department wouldn't pay the tab, etc...), but I have seen people quote anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 depending on the model and make. But then, there's always the E-Bay option.

When I did a search for hybrid car battery packs at E-Bay. I found two different Prius battery packs for $900 and $1100 each. Each was particular to a model year and there's no telling how long either has been out of the car and not being charged. So buying on E-bay is definitely 'buyer beware' territory. But it does give us an idea about what the going rate is.