[Dianne]

OK. I will admit it.
I have run my Prius dry. More than once. Matter of fact, I have done this in both Prius I have had - my 2005 and my 2007. I have done it at least three times in my 2007 in the last year. Never mind why - I get forgetful and busy in my head or on the cel phone and OOOPS! Once, I seriously thought I had enough to make it to the work exit and get gas but that's why in Prius, it's often called a GUESS Gauge and not a gas gauge.

What happens is... the car MOTOR dies and you can feel the deceleration immediately. The car can run on the battery/electric but not at a speed that's high -- maybe 40 mph max. And, depending on how high the battery charge level was when she ran out, that can also go fast! I had never needed a special charge off any special battery... I just added gas and the big red or yellow warning triangle vanished and it was biz as usual.

Dianne