Aha! I've done a little bit of research and I think I've figured out what's going on.
All references to the "battery" in the warranty booklet refer to the regular battery, not the hybrid battery.
Here's the section that makes it look like there's a prorated yuckiness going on:
from page 37 of the warranty booklet (which can be found here:
http://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/Documen...s/AWL33423.pdf)
Warranty Coverage
During the first 36 months
(three years) of service, a defective
replacement battery will be replaced
at no cost for the battery, labor, or
installation.
For the remaining 64 months
(five years and four months), you
receive a credit toward the purchase
of the battery. This credit is based
on the then-current retail price:
• Months 0 to 36: 100 percent
• Months 37 to 45: 60 percent
• Months 46 to 55: 50 percent
• Months 56 to 65: 40 percent
• Months 66 to 75: 30 percent
• Months 76 to 85: 20 percent
• Months 86 to 95: 10 percent
• Months 96 to 100: 5 percent
The battery is warranted for the
time remaining in the 100 months
of the Replacement Battery Limited
Warranty. No cash reimbursement
will be made. You are responsible
for the labor or installation charges
BUT like I said, this in the section entitled Replacement Battery Limited Warranty AND it's not even talking about the hybrid battery.
And actually, the only other reference I see to battery in this document is this from page 30 (original equipment battery limited warranty):
Warranty Coverage
During the first 3 years, a defective
battery will be replaced at no cost
to you. Diagnosis, labor,
installation, and the cost of the
replacement battery are covered by
Honda.
Again, not the Hybrid battery (the one behind the backseat ... the one all the hubub is about).
For the info on the hybrid battery warranty you need to look at the warranty parts list for your state: NC's is here:
http://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/Documen...t/apl30791.pdf
It reveals that the hybrid battery warranty is actually part of the IMA warranty:
Integrated Motor Assist System (IMA)
Battery Assembly (including all internal components) 8/80
DC-DC Converter 8/80
Motor Control Module 8/80
Battery Condition Monitor Module 8/80
If you live in CA it'll be covered 15 years or 150,000 miles.