I'm not sure where they got their information from. If they go their facts from anywhere at all.
First, as far as I know, no one has had the batteries replaced for simply wearing out yet in the classic. They have been destroyed in accidents and other draining mishaps, but other than that, most of us expect the batteries to last well over 100,000 miles. They're just warrantied for 100K!
Where did that figure come from? Is that for the retail cost of a battery or for the actual cost? And what kind of energy? Gas is not energy, it's fuel.
In the traditional model of overall cost of car ownership, the manufacture of the car accounts for 15% of the materials and energy. The rest is consumption of fuel and other repairs during its usable life (and then the waste that it creates when disposed of). I am not certain how the hybrid fits into this 15/85 model, but a recent MIT study has shown that a hybrid is far more efficient and has a lower overall footprint than a traditional car or diesel car.
Yes, creation of the actual car and the batteries requires energy and creates pollution. But there is something to be said for that pollution being created in concentrated and heavily controlled places - like factories. Air pollution in our cities causes huge health problems in addition to contributing to overall environmental problems.
There are some interesting and very readable articles on these topics at http://www.gristmagazine.com and the MIT study was cited at Discover Magazine (December) http://www.discover.com/issues/dec-03/r ... fuel-cell/.
