This is incorrect on both accounts. Battery life is definitely greater than 5-8yrs, and there are already companies that recycle ev batteries back into pure raw material for reuse. The secondary supportive industries will grow. I'd imagine folks in the early 1900s had concerns with the Ford Quadricycle that were addressed just the same. Quick Google search says Prius batteries are $2200-$4k to replace...how much is it to swap in a new gas motor to an average vehicle? Probably about the same.
A quick Google search also says that the average Prius battery lasts 8-10 yrs, or about 100,000 to 150,000 miles. The gas motor in my pickup is 22 years old and is pushing 320,000 miles. Never even had the valve covers off.
