Although my new white or light brown Prius #9 hasn't arrived yet, in spending about 12 hours on the 'Net researching the new Prius, I've read that the reason for the fuel guage inaccuracy is due to the expandable bladder in the fuel tank. The geniuses(!) at Toyota felt that the bladder would prevent evaporative emissions from the fuel tank. Unfortunately, the bladder isn't very flexible in cold weather and consequently doesn't completely expand when filled with fuel. Warmer weather should allow more accurate fuel level readings.

Fortunately, if we run out of gas in the Prius, we have the electric motor to continue to power the car.

Hmmm . . . Maybe if we lit a small fire under the fuel tank on cold winter mornings . . .