I posted this over at A-V so it's sort of a repeat.
I noticed that Monday our senator has an appt to get his T&C mini-van serviced. He usually brings some work along and waits around. He's always happy to talk about any government issues and I'm going to try and speak to him about this, if at all possible. He's one of the rare good politicians. Seriously.
On the Prius note: Today I had to make a run to the salvage yard we use at the shop to get a part because they weren't able to deliver it (and we needed it TODAY). I spotted at LEAST a dozen Prius's (Prius', Prii?) lined up. I had to ask about them. They're all early models and the battery packs are spent. The cost to replace the pack far outweighs the value of the car so they were all scrapped. They said the procedure to scrap a Prius is a huge PITA. Mainly the battery packs and all the regulations that go along with it. According to them, it's true. The Prius is one of the "dirtiest" cars built when you figure one from start to finish. They take any vehicle in for scrap but said it wouldn't hurt their feelings one little bit if they never had to deal with another Prius.
The reason they were all just sitting there yet, totally intact was, waiting for paperwork that allows them to dismantle the cars. THEN they have to have a licensed hybrid technician come to remove the battery packs. After that it takes a special trucking company to haul the packs away for recycling. Yep, Prius is going to save the planet. NOT.
