What the words mean
OEM (Toyota)
A new or dealer-sourced nickel-metal hydride pack in the original chemistry. This is the only path that plays inside Toyota’s remaining factory coverage. It is also the expensive baseline: $3,500–$5,000+ as cited in Green Bean’s 2026 cost article, and $4,501–$4,694 on RepairPal.
We are not a Toyota partner. If the glove-box warranty still applies, stop reading vendor blogs and go to the dealer.
Reman / recon / “reconditioned”
Someone opened a used OEM case, tested modules, replaced the weak ones (sometimes with other used modules, sometimes with new), and sold the pack again. Quality is a spectrum. Public prices we can source:
- Hybrid CPR complete Gen 2 / Gen 3 recon about ~$950 (their pricing page).
- Greentec Gen 2 / Gen 3 reman about ~$1,399 for 24 months (2026 buying guide).
- Green Bean “most Prius” installed $1,349–$1,949 installed, chemistry mix in that band.
A reman is still NiMH in an OEM-shaped case, unless the vendor says otherwise. Warranties are shorter than a sodium NMS pitch and often non-transferable. Ask what “reconditioned” means on your invoice: all modules new, or only the failed ones swapped.
Sodium-ion (NexPower GT2 and reseller NMS)
New chemistry in the old box. Salty Hybrid is NexPower Energy. Live list: Gen 2 GT2 $1,890; Gen 3 / Prius V / CT200h $1,890; Prius C $1,350. Often sold out. They left lithium after durability issues. Current line is sodium GT2.
Warranty since March 2023: 2 years unlimited miles with a NexPower-certified installer, 1 year DIY, non-transferable. They do not guarantee the ~10% MPG story. Authorized resellers include Green Bean, The Hybrid Geek, and My New Battery.
Sodium / lithium conversions are not OEM. They do not preserve Toyota warranty. They are a bet that new cells and a different chemistry beat a sorted used NiMH pack. That bet can be reasonable. It is still a bet.
Editorial — unpaid. No affiliate program we could find. Linked because the price or coverage model is useful, not because anyone paid for the mention. How we choose links
Green Bean is not the hero
Founded 2016, acquired by LKQ in May 2021 (LKQ’s release, Green Bean about page). They will come to your driveway in select markets. That convenience is real. So is the fine print.
Warranties effective 1 November 2025, from their warranty page: reconditioned 1 year, sodium (NMS) 4 years, other new-module lines 2–3 years. Unlimited miles, non-transferable, no refunds. Core charges if the old pack is not returned.
Reputation is mixed, and you can read it yourself. PriusChat warranty threads describe long waits after a claim is “approved.” The BBB profile has complaint narratives about quotes moving and communication going quiet. Other owners report a clean Saturday install. Both things can be true. We are not going to launder either into a star rating we did not earn.
Editorial — unpaid. No affiliate program we could find. Linked because the price or coverage model is useful, not because anyone paid for the mention. How we choose links
Who we mention and why
Greentec Auto — public reman / new-cell ladder and a real publisher affiliate (Give $150 / Get $150). Not tested by us.
Paid affiliate. Tracking URL is still a placeholder in the site config, so this is their public page until Chris drops in a live affiliate link. Full disclosure
The Hybrid Geek — NexPower reseller plus mobile install; $100/sale program. Not tested by us.
Paid affiliate. Tracking URL is still a placeholder in the site config, so this is their public page until Chris drops in a live affiliate link. Full disclosure
Hybrid CPR — cheapest clear recon list we found. Unpaid. Comparison column only.
Ranking method: public price, warranty text, DIY vs mobile vs dealer. Not “best.” Not “we ran 17 packs on a dyno.”