Prius, ever sat in one? Ever drove one a long distance? Try sitting in the backseat for a few hours. I'm a small guy and I find it to be less than comfy.
I would not waste my time with nor money with Hybrid technology. It's a marketing ploy, not an answer to any of the worlds problems.
Heavy Metals + Corrosive Liquids = Environmental Nightmare
Batteries = Problems
Batteries must be created by means already discussed here and else where. They must be maintained until the degrade beyond usefulness. They must be replaced with new ones again created through environmentally damaging methods. The old ones must be disposed of or recycled in some way, not an easy nor a clean task. This alone is an environmental nightmare.
In the end all Hybrids burn gasoline. That is an unavoidable fact of life. Fuel economy and less pollution is a marketing ploy to sell cars not save the planet. The fact is cars destroy the planet in many ways. Diesel, hybrid, gasoline, doesn't matter. They all burn petroleum based fuel. They all require petroleum based lubricants. They all contain plastics. They are painted with acrylic paints. None of these materials can be created nor used without measurable damage to the environment. It's a simple fact of life.
Fuel economy is the biggest joke of all. The other day I drove past a billboard stating the Prius is the most fuel efficient car in America. Most of the members of this forum know about the road test done with a Prius and BMW 335d. The BMW ran farther on the same amount of fuel. EPA numbers are moderately better for the Prius than they are for various other fuel efficient vehicles. However, real world driving tells a different story. Try loading a Prius up with cargo and five adults. Now try that in a Jetta TDI, a TDI wagon, or a BMW 335d and see how far you get on a gallon of fuel. Never mind the comfort factor.
I've sat in the back seat of my 1998 Jetta. If you offer me the front seat of a Prius or the backseat of a Jetta I'll get in the Jetta every time.
As for protecting the environment, my car does more to preserve our planets eco system than any three Hybrids. My car was built in Mexico so it's never been on a ship. Sure the parts came from all over the world but they were shipped with thousands of tons of other items and resources necessary for modern life. My car was purchased locally by a woman who cared for it well enough but not excessively. She drove more miles than most and moved to another car after seven years and nearly two hundred thousand miles. I restored it using parts from a totaled car and some new items. I've driven seventy thousand miles on two sets of tires and about 50% B99 and 50% D2. I have been burning B99 made from recycled seed stock for over ten thousand miles. I challenge anyone to show me how I can do any better on a motor vehicle.
The fact is all cars pollute. All cars damage the environment. All cars are bad for the planet. It's a simple fact of life. Anyone who thinks that buying a hybrid is going to make some noticeable difference in the amount of damage people do to the planet is fooling themselves. I certainly don't believe I'm making anything more than a nominal difference in the footprint I leave behind. I do feel good about the fact that my money is not flowing in to big oil and foreign soil. That is why I bought my car in the first place. I love my car because it's fun to drive, not because I'm doing anything to save the planet.
As for recycling batteries, computers, or any other hazardous waste, get real people. It's a feel good idea that is far from reality.