Read on to find out how long your hybrid battery should last and what you can do to increase it.
For those looking to save money on gas with an accessible hybrid, the Toyota Sienna Hybrid’s launch is an exciting option. How long do the hybrid batteries in these cars last though? The majority of hybrid batteries should last for about 100,000 miles. Some owners can increase this number to 200,000 with good maintenance.
Before hopping in a hybrid, learn what to anticipate from your hybrid battery as there are a number of variables that affect battery life.
How Long Do Hybrid Batteries Last?
A hybrid battery will save you thousands of dollars in fuel each year. Others hurry to fill up at the gas stations. You only go to the gas pumps half as often as your neighbor and you plug your car into the garage outlet.
You will eventually have to pay something, though, to either repair or replace the expensive hybrid battery that has served you so well for thousands of miles.
Further Reading: How Long Do Car Batteries Last?
An average hybrid battery is said to last 80,000 to 100,000 miles by most hybrid auto manufacturers. However, with the right maintenance and basic auto repair, hybrid owners have reported some batteries lasting up to 150,000 miles and even up to 200,000 miles.
A typical car owner keeps their vehicle for 5 to 15 years when the hybrid battery has been driven extensively.
What Affects Your Hybrid Battery Life?
How frequently you drive your car directly affects the battery’s lifespan. If you drive for Uber or Lyft, for instance, you probably log several hundred miles in your car each week. The same rule applies if you work as a salesperson or are a road warrior who works out of your car.
Compare a salesman who logs 100 miles per day in his car to a person who commutes 20 miles per day. Compared to a short commuter, a road warrior will put more cycling on his hybrid battery. Battery aging will occur more quickly if there are more cycles performed in a shorter period of time.
Your battery will appear to last much longer if you only cycle it a few times daily while you commute.
Age Matters
In as little as five years from the time you first bought the battery new, you might need to replace your hybrid battery. However, the length of time largely depends on how you use your car.
Batteries in daily-driven cars that make long distances will need to be replaced in as little as five years. Your battery may last as long as 10 or 11 years, though, if you use your car exclusively and don’t frequently take it on long drives.
Mileage Matters
Battery life is influenced by both age and mileage, which proves that age is just a number.
For instance, a battery should last longer in a 2005 Prius with 150,000 miles than in a 2011 Prius with the same amount of miles. The 2011 vehicle has completed more cycles in less time. This implies that the 2011 Prius has experienced more frequent, intense cycling over a shorter time.
Since the 2011 Prius was driven more vigorously than the 2005 Prius, its battery has suffered more damage.
Further Reading: How Long Does It Take to Charge a Car Battery?
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Hybrid Battery?
How much money will you need to spend when it’s time to replace your hybrid battery? Again, this varies significantly depending on the make and model, accessibility, identified problem, and battery type.
- It may only need to be disassembled and cleaned if your hybrid battery is acting up but is still fairly new. To get help, you’ll need to go to an EV repair facility or merely consult your car dealer.
- Some batteries simply can’t be repaired, necessitating a complete replacement of the cells or the pack.
- Excluding labor costs, the cost of new lithium-ion batteries can range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more.
- The price difference between Ni-Cad and other batteries is minimal. It is also possible to purchase a used hybrid car battery from a crashed car, which would be much less expensive.
In any case, once the battery in your hybrid vehicle wears out, you should be prepared to spend a sizeable sum of money to replace it. Fortunately, the lifespan of your hybrid battery is typically quite strong, so this shouldn’t happen often.
How to Extend Your Hybrid Battery Life?
While a battery typically lasts 8 years, some batteries can last up to and even past 10 years. The lifespan of your battery could easily be impacted by how you handle it.
Maintain a Schedule
A hybrid does not require any more maintenance than a regular non-hybrid car. Put your hybrid on the same maintenance schedule as a non-hybrid vehicle.
When a car seems to run smoothly or when money is a little tight for a month, owners are more likely to ignore a maintenance schedule.
Do not ignore routine upkeep. Costs range from $1,000 to $6,000 to replace a hybrid battery. Compared to a routine maintenance visit for your hybrid, this cost is significantly higher.
Has your battery been evaluated once it has been in your car for more than 80,000 miles or 8 years? Plan on taking your car to the mechanic every 12 months for a regular battery checkup.
Keep the Battery Cool
In your hybrid, you ought to have a cooling system for the auxiliary battery. This backup fan needs to be cleaned frequently. The fan blades typically have an oily coating, and dust adheres to the oil. Dust will build up as a result, obstructing the airflow to your battery.
A warm battery degrades faster than a cool one. To extend the life of your batteries, keep your auxiliary fan clean.
Screen Your Battery
Your gasoline engine will run more smoothly if you maintain your car regularly, which relieves pressure on the electrical battery. Has your hybrid battery’s condition been checked by the service center on a regular basis to keep your battery in check?
An auto repair shop with experience in hybrid vehicles can recondition a battery to restore weak cells to nearly 97 percent of their original strength if you have weak cells. A simple refurbishment can help you avoid spending thousands of dollars on a new battery.
But you’ve waited too long if you waited until the check engine light came on. Do not wait for the dashboard to turn on. Today, bring your car in for an inspection.
Conclusion: Proper Hybrid Car Maintenance
Manufacturers anticipate that this will be the maximum battery life because warranties are typically valid for about 100,000 miles. The wise decision is to set aside money for a new battery as you get close to 100,000 miles.
The simplest way to make sure your hybrid car lasts well into its teenage years, as is the case with all vehicles, is to perform routine maintenance. It’s also important to trust a qualified EV service technician to maintain hybrids and electric vehicles because doing so calls for a specific set of knowledge and equipment.
FAQs
How Often Does a Hybrid Battery Need to Be Replaced?
Hybrid car battery replacement should be performed every 150,000 miles or 15 years (whichever comes first). Remember that this is an average estimate and not a promise that the hybrid battery will need to be replaced at this frequency.
What Happens When Hybrid Battery Dies?
If your hybrid battery dies, you cannot drive the car anymore. Even if the car is a hybrid and still runs on gasoline, you would need to replace the battery in order to keep driving it.
