# Plug-in or Hybrid, 2012 or newer? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [August 6, 2019, 3:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096 "2019-08-06T03:35:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/21 "2019-08-07T00:30:56Z")
> [@sciconf](#): > > Is it worth getting for a used hybrid? A simple Google search will let you find many complaints about both of those warranty companies. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 1:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/22 "2019-08-07T01:03:51Z")
I think it would be hard to argue against the Prius plug-in, but I’d look at what’s available in the Chevy Volt line-up too. Were I actually looking to buy a plug-in I’d just buy an all electric myself. There are lots of places to charge electric cars in my area, many for free. I see a Tesla Model 3 nearby always parked on the street, never seen a charger connected to it yet, in the entire 2-years. The owner must be charging it where he works. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 3:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/23 "2019-08-07T03:05:09Z")
The latest Consumer Reports has a big article on electric cars. In a sidebar they say it may make sense for many “buyers” to lease them, instead… because of fast techno advances and depreciation. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 2:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/24 "2019-08-07T14:44:34Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > I think it would be hard to argue against the Prius plug-in, but I’d look at what’s available in the Chevy Volt line-up too This is the last year of the Chevy Volt. > [@VOLVO\_V70](#): > > That is not really enough mileage to benefit from a Hybrid The cost difference between Hybrid and non-Hybrid has closed drastically in the past few years, some as low as $2,000. At 5k miles a year it might take you just 8 years to benefit from the hybrid. When hybrids first came out was close to 30 years. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 6:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/25 "2019-08-07T18:00:50Z")
> [@sciconf](#): > > Is it worth getting for a used hybrid? I probably would not get an extended warranty for a used hybrid, even worse an aftermarket warranty. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/26 "2019-08-07T18:18:58Z")
> [@texases](#): > > Alternator? Or do you mean battery? I’ve never hear of an alternator failing on a Prius, and I don’t understand why it would be expensive to fix. Or was that for some other car? I believe the alterator is the MotorGenerator in Prius as they call it. Pls see the video below around 3:21mins [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxOM1deFcbw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxOM1deFcbw) ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/27 "2019-08-07T18:20:51Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > They never did like high voltage hybrids because they didn’t want to pay a royalty to the patent holder Perhaps it is referred here - video talks about patent from California. [![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/8/1877f311aa599ff02e7a8e13ff92b7d31f7cba4b.jpeg "Prius Hybrid Drive Explained") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_xCssR8qQI) ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 6:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/28 "2019-08-07T18:23:29Z")
> [@sciconf](#): > > I believe the alterator is the MotorGenerator in Prius OK, so that’s what you’re talking about. I have never seen a question about one of those failing, ever. Could it happen? Sure, but it’s very unlikely. The only significant failure potential I’d worry about is the hybrid battery. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/29 "2019-08-07T18:25:40Z")
Someone quoted like $2800 for the battery ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/30 "2019-08-07T18:26:45Z")
That sounds about right. You could check your area for ‘hybrid battery repair’, see if someone will do it for less. ---
**Author:** ![GorehamJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/gorehamj/32/24103_2.png) [@GorehamJ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GorehamJ)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 6:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/31 "2019-08-07T18:30:03Z")
Hmm. I would not buy any green car with a battery older than 75K miles and 7 years old. I’d want the initial drivetrain warranty (longer for hybrids and EVs). That’s just me. Unless the whole thing is under $2K, then buy whatever you find in good condition that can get a registration sticker. The Prius PIH or Prime is hugely popular. Top-selling affordable EV in America right now and the Prius remains the top-selling green car. I’d get a [RAV4 Hybrid AWD.](http://bestride.com/reviews/new-car-reviews/the-all-new-2019-toyota-rav4-hybrid-efficient-and-capable) Because they are awesome family cars. ---
**Author:** ![thegreendrag0n](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thegreendrag0n/32/9265_2.png) [@thegreendrag0n](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thegreendrag0n)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 8:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/32 "2019-08-07T20:28:21Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > The cost difference between Hybrid and non-Hybrid has closed drastically in the past few years, some as low as $2,000 When I was shopping for Honda Accord recently, the difference was under $1200 to the base ICE equipped vehicle of the same trim, less expensive than bigger-engine version of the same trim. Considering that performance-wise hybrid is also in between, I feel it was no premium for having hybrid and I avoided the dreaded CVT with it 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096/33 "2019-08-07T20:30:51Z")
> [@GorehamJ](#): > > I would not buy any green car with a battery older than 75K miles and 7 years old Why 7 yrs old? Am I correct that California mandates warranty of 10yrs on the battery? [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/plug-in-or-hybrid-2012-or-newer/146096.md?page=1)