Batteries - So far so good
My HCH has been good from a battery standpoint save on one VERY cold morning (-12 F). And even then, the conventional battery and starter on my '06 Civic Hybrid brought the beast on-line. My battery capacity may have decreased some over the 5 yrs 4 months I've owned it, but it is still doing well and delivering >40 mpg in winter (15 - 30 F) and >50 mpg in summers.
Now with gas prices climbing again, I don't regret the investment at the time. I too will be happiest to see battery long term reliability improve so that the hybrid cars are reliable with NO reservations so they're more readily accepted. There definitely is the potential to reduce fuel consumption and being able to go the full working life of a vehicle on the original battery pack would take the fear-factor out of the extra up front costs.
