If people are already convinced they're right (with no proof), it's not easy to change their minds. Most opinions are usually based on ignorance or emotions, not facts. They see you as the crazy one much like 100's of years ago when "they" said the Earth revolved around the sun and many, many other 'facts' that have been proved wrong over time. The majority has been wrong about many things over the centuries.
Saying that, however, the batteries are recycled at a very high rate just like regular 12V batteries, however the hybrid batteries are less toxic and they last much, much longer than the 12V battery. I read about the hybrid battery recycling from a Toyota spokesperson and other sites. Advances in batteries are coming out almost daily too so who knows what'll be available in next 5-10 yrs. I found this quote:
"More than 97 percent of lead-acid batteries are recycled, according to the Web site of the Chicago-based Battery Council International (BCI). This compares to 55 percent of aluminum beverage cans, 26 percent of glass bottles and 71 percent of newspapers.
The BCI reports on its site that the average new lead-acid battery is composed of 60 percent to 80 percent recycled lead and plastic." The BCI site might be good to cruise.
The article:
http://www.highbeam.com/library/docf...G%3AResult&ao=
For the gas emissions (air pollution), I don't see how they can argue it's bogus as that's the easier part to prove with any smog test. Let them stand behind a regular car and breathe deeply vs. your car
Many cities have electric buses, UPS is replacing many of their vans with alternative fuel vehicles, etc. so it's not a fad but a reality of the world today. I can't wait to buy an all electric car that drives 400+ miles/recharge. Most people commute less than 100 miles/day anyway.
Mileage does vary with drivers (and road condition, weather) but it does with gas-only cars too. I've read a few stories of Prius owners getting horrible mileage like high 30's but I am sure that's rare. I do think people are misled somewhat by the dealers into thinking that they can drive just as they do now and get the sticker mileage. We all know by now how bogus the EPA sticker mileage is especially for city driving (you can search on this site for that discussion and links to news stories). Even with all that, the huge majority of owners exprience higher mpg and some who are willing to alter their driving habits a lot, experience much greater mpg. I just read of a real road trip with a group of Prius drivers that got over 100mpg - more to prove a point than to say people should drive like they did. If driving 'normal' = 50mpg that's still fantastic.
http://www.toyota.com/hybridsynergyv.../marathon.html
Don't waste your time convincing these people, they've already made up their minds. Just be content in knowing you're saving gas and helping the environment. People complain about spending more for a hybrid and want to know their return on investment, but they never ask that question when they pay $$ for options like navigation systems, heated leather seats, etc. so why is a hybrid option any different. I'm sure in 5-10 years things will be very different as more cars will be hybrids of some sort, car shapes will change to support higher mpg too. I don't expect the oil companies to let gas prices decrease significantly in the future.