Quote:
Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher
If you go as far as including a hybrid system, you might want it to work effciently so it actualy decreases fuel consumption properly.
|
Is there a fuel consumption difference between the NiMH Prii and the Li Ion Prii? Last time I checked it was the same between the two classes.
NiMH may be more "leaky." but Li Ion needs more heating and cooling. Ideally with Li ion you want a refrigeration unit to cool them in the heat, even when the car is not in use.
Then again, NiMH batteries seem to last only 12 to 15 years and then suddenly die. Maybe better cooling would help, but Li ion, with proper cooling even when the car is off, should outlast NiMH.
A new OEM NiMH hybrid battery is in the range of $1,600 to $2,000 dollars. I'm not sure what a new Li ion traction battery costs, but a quick search shows $2,900 to $3,300 for the RAV4 Li ion battery.