Transmit only for the high power active radio is often a great way to save power, so long as you have an alternative data path to send information to the device to change settings or do firmware updates. For example, see the Omni-ID Power 415 active RFID tag which transmits up to 400 m distance with its active radio every few seconds for 5+ years of battery life but also has a passive 900 MHz RFID interface that's bidirectional for changing settings or doing firmware updates.
http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?11873