Hi, lots of misinformation out there, so let’s clarify things a bit… short answers… Hybrids like the Prius use regular gas, higher octane is a waste of money. A Prius costs .11 cents a mile to maintain for each 100,000 miles. That .11 cents includes tires, gas at $3.50 a gallon, oil changes and all regularly scheduled maintenance at a Toyota dealership. A Prius (or Camry Hybrid or Highlander Hybrid) actually has less parts and less moving parts than a standard vehicle, so there is less to repair or replace. No owner has ever paid to replace a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) hybrid battery due to defects or failure. There have been NiMH replaced due to accidents or owner abuse or modification (one guy drilled a screw into his NiMH stack trying to install a big sub-woofer in the back). Anything else you’ve seen or heard is a myth. Common sense says if these things were failing, it would be all over the news. The Prius have been in the US for nine, almost ten, years. full answer (and it’s