Quote:
Originally Posted by JSH
Technically it could be but it wouldn't sell in the USA. Few people are going to buy a midsize car with 98 hp.
The extra battery weight is minimal for a hybrid. Even the old 1.3 kWh NiMH battery in the Prius only weighs 93 lbs. Li-Ion batteries weigh less. The Prius adds 2 motor/generators but eliminates the starter and alternator.
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It may be minimal but without it the car would get better MPG steady state highway. Toyota could build a Prius exactly like a Prius minus the drive battery, electric motors, add a regular starter and alternator, sell if for thousands less and it would get better MPG on real world highways. Someday if we haven't already we will see used Prius running around with the battery gutted from it and it just being a solid standard hatchback.