Do consumers realize what they are going into when they buy hybrids or fully electric automobiles?

The Battery. I believe that most hybrids use the NiCa or the NiMh type batteries with a sprinking of Lithium-Ion models available. Although not an expert I worked with batteries for eleven years while I was in the Submarine Service. Much like the Lead-Acid types normally used as starting batteries in automobiles, hybrid batteries have many limitations such as the number of "cycles", self-discharge, reduced capacity over time, and above all the cost to replace especially the Li-Ion types. To attract buyers I believe the manufacturers are offering "lifetime warranties" on their batteries. But that seemed to have downgraded to 5 Yr/100K miles. I prefer the use of Lead-Acid batteries if they can improve on the weight to capacity ratio. Lead Acid batteries can easily be maintained by the owners at home whereby they can conduct normal and equalizing charges, and even a test discharge. If one battery or two in the tray go bad, they can be easily removed and replaced with no special tools. At the moment I believe, hybrid battery packs can only be replaced by the dealers.