[Mike-o-Matic]

  >> The Toyota hybrid battery IS designed to last the life of the vehicle

I *thought* Toyota expected the rest of the car to outlast the battery. If untrue, then I am wrong. While I don't think an 8/80 warranty is the expected life of the Prius (at least I hope not!) I respect your point.

FWIW, it was not my goal to disparage the Prius, rather to point out that the batteries have fundamental differences. However I can see how it might've sounded that way. Sorry, if that's the case. I'm in favor of ANY car that reduces our oil consumption; I would just prefer one that makes it possible to use very little gas, or even NONE, yet doesn't constrain driving habits when longer trips are necessary.

As for Prius' battery lasting as much as 250,000 miles, I don't doubt that either. There will be cases at either extreme depending on driving patterns. The same will be true for any BEV/EREV, I'm sure.

[Mike-o-Matic]

Oops, as previously noted, 8/100 warranty.

[Elsie]

My pacemaker battery is around 7 years life expectancy.