UPDATE 8/8/24: We have revised the Battery Warranties section of this article to provide up-to-date information about federal warranties.
A hybrid car's high-voltage battery is one of its most expensive components. There's a range of prices, but expect to pay at least a couple thousand dollars for a replacement, not including labor. So if you have a hybrid, you want yours to last. But how much life can you expect out of a hybrid battery pack?
Jump to:
- Battery Warranties Provide a Clue
- How a Hybrid Battery Can Fail
- Symptoms of a Bad Hybrid Battery
Before we get started, we should point something out. Hybrid vehicles have a 12-volt battery like any other car, but that's not the ones we're talking about. The high voltage battery is hidden from view. Usually, they're under the rear seat. Sometimes they extend under the rear parcel shelf. In any case, they're meant to last the life of the car. Unless, that is, you put a lot of miles on a car, or are buying a well used one.
Battery Warranties Provide a Clue
The federal government requires minimum warranty coverage of eight years or 80,000 miles on plug-in-hybrid and EV batteries as part of the emission warranty (previously the emission performance warranty). For vehicles sold in any of the states that follow California Air Resources Board (CARB) rules, 10 years or 150,000 miles of coverage is required for the battery, be it in a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or battery-electric vehicle.
Outside of those requirements, the warranty an automaker offers can tell you something about how long the company expects the battery to last. Toyota goes further than required of its hybrids, with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty; Hyundai covers hybrid components for the same 10-year/100,000-mile duration that applies to its nonhybrid powertrains. These warranties are generally transferable to subsequent owners as well, so you may still be covered if you buy used.
And if the battery does fail within that window, you have the peace of mind provided by the warranty. Getting it replaced may be an inconvenience, but as long as the battery dies of natural causes you shouldn't have to pay for a new one.
How a Hybrid Battery Can Fail
There are several ways a hybrid battery can degrade or die altogether, some of which you can influence and some you can't. Items that are out of your direct control include failed battery cells and other associated electronics.
Exposure to extreme temperatures, whether during operation or while stationary, can also take a toll on battery life. Keeping the vehicle out of the sun and in a temperate garage whenever possible can help the battery last longer. And while we try our best to avoid accidents, damage to a high-voltage battery from such an unplanned event can hamper it or put it out of service.
High-voltage batteries, like any battery, also degrade over time. Manufacturers try to extend battery life by using only a portion of the battery's capacity, preventing it from discharging too low or charging too high. After a certain point, too much degradation can make the battery as good as dead.
Symptoms of a Bad Hybrid Battery
A warning light and the associated diagnostic code are a good tipoff of a battery issue, but you may be able to detect a failing battery before the car makes it official. Signs include reduced fuel economy, the hybrid system running less often, and the battery gauge no longer reaching full or reading correctly.
Because hybrids use their electric motors to start the gas engine and the motors get their juice from the high-voltage pack, the car not starting or even turning on is another potential sign of an HV-pack failure.
While there are no comprehensive studies looking at hybrid-battery longevity, most educated guesses land between 100,000 and 200,000 miles. The best advice for anyone considering the purchase of a high-mileage hybrid is to get a pre-purchase inspection that includes battery diagnostics. That way, if the car does need a new battery, you can factor that into the price and plan for a replacement.
Ever since David was a wee Car and Driver intern, he has kept a spreadsheet listing all the vehicles he’s driven and tested. David really likes spreadsheets. He can parallel-park a school bus and once drove a Lincoln Town Car 63 mph in reverse. After taking a break from journalism to work on autonomous vehicles, he’s back writing for this and other automotive publications. When David’s not searching for the perfect used car, you can find him sampling the latest in gimmicky, limited-edition foodstuffs.
FAQs
Average Lifespan: Hybrid batteries typically have a lifespan of 100,000 to 200,000 miles. Warranty Coverage: Most hybrid car manufacturers offer warranties that cover the hybrid battery for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles.
What is the life expectancy of a hybrid car battery? ›
Hybrid Battery Life Expectancy
Most hybrid batteries should take drivers about 100,000 miles. With excellent maintenance, some owners are able to push this number to 200,000. Warranties typically extend to about the 100,000-mile mark, so manufacturers do expect this to be the upper limit on battery life.
How much does a hybrid battery cost to replace? ›
How much does a hybrid battery cost? Generally, a hybrid battery replacement cost can range from $2,000 to $8,000.
How do I know when my hybrid battery needs replacing? ›
– Signs of decreased fuel efficiency, difficulty starting, and loss of power indicate the need for hybrid battery replacement. – Warning lights and error messages are clear indicators of hybrid battery issues that should not be ignored.
At what mileage does a hybrid battery need to be replaced? ›
So what is a normal hybrid car battery lifespan? Hybrid car battery replacement should be performed every 150,000 miles or 15 years (whichever comes first). Bear in mind that this is not a guarantee, but an average figure for how often hybrid battery replacement should be performed.
Is it worth it to replace hybrid car battery? ›
The once-in-a-while price you have to pay for a new battery pales in comparison to the alternative options you might think of instead of a replacement. So, if you've come to this page wondering whether it's worth it to replace your hybrid battery when it dies, the answer is an easy yes.
What is the downside of a hybrid car? ›
Added weight and complexity are the main disadvantages of the hybrid car over similarly engineered ICE-powered or electric-powered cars.
Can you drive a hybrid car if the battery dies? ›
Can You Drive A Hybrid With A Dead Battery? Unfortunately, no. If your hybrid car won't start because your hybrid battery dies, you cannot drive the car anymore. You would have to replace the battery in order to keep driving the vehicle, even if it's a hybrid and it still has gasoline.
Can a hybrid car run without a battery? ›
A hybrid vehicle cannot run without the hybrid battery, so vehicle owners must invest in new hybrid batteries periodically, which can make vehicle maintenance expensive. Fortunately, hybrid technology is always evolving. Modern batteries are more resilient than their older counterparts.
Why do hybrid batteries fail? ›
Causes of Hybrid Car Battery Life Reduction or Failure
Individual modules or cells can fail in the battery, and among the most common reasons are: Auto manufacturing defects in battery cells. Poor electrical connections between battery modules or cells. Extreme low or high battery temperatures.
If you suspect that your hybrid battery may be failing, here are some common symptoms to look out for:
- Reduced Fuel Efficiency. One of the most noticeable symptoms of a failing hybrid battery is a reduction in fuel efficiency. ...
- Check Engine Light. ...
- Reduced Acceleration. ...
- Increased Engine Noise. ...
- Battery Warning Light.
Extreme temperatures: Aside from humidity, excessive heat and cold can also cause a hybrid battery to fail. Hotter temperatures can cause the electrolytes inside the modules of the hybrid battery pack to evaporate over time, degrading the battery's ability to hold a charge in the long term.
What happens if you don't replace a hybrid battery? ›
If the high-voltage battery completely dies, however, the car won't be able to be driven at all, in most cases. The car will detect that a catastrophic failure has occurred and will put a stop to all motion to avoid damaging anything else.
Can a hybrid battery last 20 years? ›
As we mentioned, the battery life for most hybrid vehicles is around 10 to 20 years, if not longer. With proper maintenance, you can ensure that your hybrid is ready for any Westfield drive for thousands of miles.
What is the lifespan of a hybrid car? ›
But with advancements in battery technology, it's not uncommon to see some hybrids last 200,000 miles or more. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), we drive 13,476 miles per year on average. So, if your hybrid lasted 200,000 miles, you could get nearly 15 years out of it!
What is the life expectancy of a Toyota hybrid battery? ›
With proper usage and normal driving conditions, a hybrid car battery replacement should occur around every 150,000 miles or 15 years, whichever comes first.
What happens when a hybrid battery dies? ›
Can you still drive a hybrid if the battery dies? If your hybrid's battery runs out of power or fails, it will switch over to the gas engine alone for propulsion.
Can you drive a car with a bad hybrid battery? ›
Can You Drive A Hybrid With A Dead Battery? Unfortunately, no. If your hybrid car won't start because your hybrid battery dies, you cannot drive the car anymore. You would have to replace the battery in order to keep driving the vehicle, even if it's a hybrid and it still has gasoline.
How can you tell the life of a hybrid battery? ›
One of the most noticeable symptoms of a failing hybrid battery is a reduction in fuel efficiency. As the battery begins to lose its ability to hold a charge, the vehicle may rely more heavily on its gasoline engine, leading to decreased fuel economy.
Can a hybrid car last 10 years? ›
The good news is most hybrid car batteries can last a long time and typically average over the 10 to 20-year mark. Most manufacturers also provide a long-lasting hybrid battery warranty for added peace of mind. Learn all about the Honda hybrid car battery life today with the service professionals from Penske Honda!
