Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary
With both Gen2 and Gen3 Prius batteries being marked as "unavailable" on Toyota websites, there seems to be a chance the Prius has taken the same route.
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This is absolutely, positively untrue and Honda's history has ZERO correlation to Toyota past 2005. Very few websites actually sell batteries. If they're out of stock, they're going to show as unavailable.
Toyota is simply dealing with a massive supply problem. NiMH modules that go in new cars also go in new replacement packs - there is no difference. They're going to prioritize packs for new cars over replacements.
Go put one on order with a dealership, and you'll get it in about 4-6 weeks.
History lesson:
1990s: Panasonic EV energy formed. Panasonic/Toyota partnership.
Gen0 Prius, 97-00 - only in Japan. used the same "D" cell "bamboo sticks" that Hondas used.
Gen1 Prius, 00-03 - Ditch "D" cells in favor of new prismatic module. They had substantial problems with module leaking at the terminals.
Gen2 Prius, 04-09 - Redesigned module. Doubled internal interconnects for lower module internal resistance and fixed terminal leak issue (slightly longer than Gen1 modules). Reduced module count from 38 to 28 as the higher voltage was no longer needed for reduced current due to the improved internal resistance.
2005 Honda moves away from Panasonic EV Energy and starts using Sanyo cells.
In other words, from 2000-2005, Toyota made the batteries for Honda.
2006: Honda designs the 2nd worst hybrid battery ever made in the 06-08 Civic. 16% failure rate in 4-6 years.
2009: Honda designs the worst hybrid battery ever made in the 09-11 Civic. 30% failure rate in 2-3 years.
08-09 timeframe. Panasonic acquires Sanyo. To address regulator's monopoly concerns, Panasonic mostly divests itself of its partnership with Toyota, holding only a 20% stake.
2010: Panasonic EV energy renamed to Primearth EV Energy. 80% Toyota, 20% Panasonic.
Gen3 Prius 10-15 - Redesigned module. Claimed improvements in further reduced internal resistance. I've never been able to measure it. New modules test at 5-6 mΩ. I've seen mild-climate 2004 with 200K miles on it that measure that low.
Gen4 Prius 16+ - redesigned module. Smooth tops. No discernable performance differences. Visually, the module may have higher structural integrity at the plastic welds.
Sometime in the mid to late 20-teens, due to dramatically reduced demand, Panasonic NiMH "D" cells are licensed to a single manufacturer in China.
Since about 2020, all packs purchased as replacements have Gen4 modules.
Toyota makes a SWEET profit on their batteries, and they are vertically integrated. They are STILL making many new models that use the same 6 cell prismatic module. Any rumors that Toyota is discontinuing manufacture or sale of batteries fails every logic test.