IMA Battery costs cut!

[retepsnikrep]

Interesting article here

http://www.newsweek.com/id/138808/page/1

"For those unlucky few who have to replace their own batteries, the cost is coming down. On June 1 Honda is slashing the cost of its batteries from $3,400 (excluding installation) to as low as $1,968 on an Insight or as high as $2,440 on an Accord hybrid. Toyota also plans to substantially cut battery prices, which now stand at $3,000 (excluding installation), down from $5,500 on the original Prius. Both automakers attribute the price cuts to improved technology and lower production costs. But some analysts think Toyota and Honda are really trying to get ahead of consumer concerns about battery replacement. "PR is a very important factor in the hybrid market," says J.D. Power's Omotoso. "Honda and Toyota have the oldest hybrids on the road. And when a hybrid gets to be that old, you have to factor battery replacement costs into your purchase decision."

So those with dying/dead out of warranty batteries could hopefully now afford a drop in replacement.

[atlaw4u]

That is great news for all.

[budomove]

[jat1793]

Awesome. Now there's no excuse for not buying an Insight just because the batteries can be kind of iffy sometimes.

[budomove]

Originally Posted by jat1793

Awesome. Now there's no excuse for not buying an Insight just because the batteries can be kind of iffy sometimes.

yeah, If mine goes after the warranty, and american honda won't foot part of the bill, I would love to be able to just use the old mcm and bcm, and plop a new or refurbed batt in there for 2k, and squeeze another 100k+ miles out of the insight.

[ScottH]

How tricky is a self swap? Does the $2k include the battery sensors?

[IamIan]

Originally Posted by ScottH

How tricky is a self swap? Does the $2k include the battery sensors?

I would think it does include the sensors and the HV relay , and the IMA disable switch, and the current sensor , etc...etc... every Insight and civic HEV HV battery pack I have seen people buy or for sale, has had all the battery intact.

Also doing a HV Battery swap is not tricky at all.... If you have the service manual it walks you threw the whole process step by step... Expect the swap to take you about one hour, two at most... just take your time and follow the service manual directions and you will be fine.

Once you know what you are doing and have taken your HV battery in and out a few times, it will be much easier and faster... I would expect to be able to swap out my HV battery in about 30 minutes or less now given how many times I have opened up the back of the car.

[retepsnikrep]

Originally Posted by IamIan

I would think it does include the sensors and the HV relay , and the IMA disable switch, and the current sensor , etc...etc... every Insight and civic HEV HV battery pack I have seen people buy or for sale, has had all the battery intact.

I disagree Ian, when I bought a new replacement pack from Honda it was the main battery with the imbeded temp sensors only. The HV switch and all the other stuff on the plate attached to the end had to be swapped over to the new unit. That's only a few bolts though so it's not difficult and the end plate assembly comes off with all the stuff attached.

The packs we see for sale have generally been removed from dead cars and it's a faff to remove the extra components so sellers don't bother or realise they can, when you lift it out of the car it comes out in one big lump but you have to move the switch/current monitor assembly plate to the new pack as well as the BCM etc sat on top of it if you get one from Honda.

[IamIan]

Originally Posted by retepsnikrep

I disagree Ian, when I bought a new replacement pack from Honda it was the main battery with the imbeded temp sensors only.

Well... that would be a very different experience from what I have seen... ... still if you are only looking for the battery you probably will not care if you get the other pieces... and if you are more like me and what I am doing a used pack from a junked HEV might be a better deal when it comes with the extras... I know getting a HV Relay and switch saved me from having to buy them for my booster battery... getting the current sensors was also useful... and the Fuses... and the PTC strips and other temperature sensors... etc...etc...

[jat1793]

I called American Honda and they said there was nothing official about cutting IMA costs to current models.