Is it worth replacing hybrid battery on used car?
Hybrid cars integrate the effectiveness of electric motors with the power of internal combustion engines. In a hybrid, the battery gets recharged while you are driving, keeping it charged and always ready to go.
The electric motor keeps producing power during acceleration or braking, storing it in the car’s battery to keep it charged. The petrol engine immediately engages for added power and responsive performance while accelerating or traveling at high speeds. [1]
Seamless transitions between electric and gas power achieve the remarkable energy efficiency of a hybrid car. Hybrid automobiles are 20 to 35 percent more fuel-efficient than conventional vehicles since they occasionally use petrol.
Additionally, lowering emissions makes a hybrid car less harmful to the environment.
How hybrid batteries work
Two electrodes are found in hybrid batteries submerged in an electrolyte solution. A polymer coating keeps these electrodes apart and avoids short-circuiting. When the hybrid car is turned on, the electrodes are bridged.
A hybrid automobile’s battery is a battery pack composed of several cells that work together to produce the significant charge required to power the vehicle [2].
Positive and negative electrodes are located in each battery cell. The positively charged electrode releases ions that travel to the negatively charged electrode. The positive ions there accept the electrons that the negative electrode has surrendered. This intricate process produces an electrical charge.
The energy determines the hybrid vehicle’s electric range it produces in its battery. In addition, the battery’s available power controls the vehicle’s acceleration at any given time.
There have been many concerns and complaints concerning hybrid batteries. The batteries tend to fail within a short lifespan. Hybrid batteries normally have a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles, but they don’t always last that long .
Since a hybrid cannot operate without its battery, owners will inevitably need to consider replacing them. Unfortunately, due to this drawback, many people are still reluctant to invest in a hybrid.
What causes hybrid battery failure?
The fact that the cells inside hybrid batteries deteriorate at varying rates is one of the main causes of their failure over time. This is because most hybrid batteries are packed with up to 20–40 separate modules inside rather than just one large battery.
Because the hybrid battery comprises numerous tiny modules, it is usual for them to age differently. This uneven deterioration causes the battery pack to become imbalanced, which is one of the factors that eventually cause the battery to fail [4].
They frequently fail because the balance of particular cells with other cells is off. The imbalanced pack will decay more quickly than one with evenly matched members. For instance, a standard Toyota Prius from the 20-series has 28 separate cells with about 6500 mAh. Over time, the battery’s capacity will decrease to as little as 1500 mAh.
However, disintegration may not always occur equally. For example, some batteries can go as low as 1500 mAh, while others can still reach 5000 mAh. In addition, unbalanced cells will cause the battery to malfunction faster than balanced cells.
What next?
What next after your car’s battery dies? Should you give up? Or should you consider buying a new one? Undoubtedly, replacing a hybrid battery is expensive and may be a sizable investment. So, if you’re wondering whether it’s worthwhile to replace your hybrid battery when it dies, the simple answer is yes.
This article will show why replacing your hybrid battery is a worthwhile investment.
- The battery is what makes the car a hybrid
First, a functional hybrid battery is required for your hybrid car to operate. The hybrid battery is necessary for the automobile to run, even while the normal engine contributes to keeping it running. The change between the two power sources appears seamless to the driver.
Additionally, the hybrid battery is what distinguishes the car as a hybrid. We cannot talk about a hybrid vehicle without actually mentioning the battery. It is the one that enables you to have such excellent fuel efficiency. Therefore, replacing the battery is the best alternative if you wish to continue enjoying all the benefits of a hybrid car.
- Improvements in the hybrid battery
Innovations in hybrid technology are progressing. Compared to older batteries, modern batteries are more durable. As more independent producers enter the market, drivers will have more choices when replacing their car batteries. Furthermore, these third-party hybrid batteries are frequently less expensive than a dealership offers.
There are many ways that hybrid batteries are undergoing improvements. The aim is to make them less expensive and long-lasting [5]. So you can now be sure that the battery you buy now for replacement will serve you better and longer than the failed one.
- Improved warranty
Toyota declared in 2019 that its hybrid battery warranty would increase to 10 years or 150,000 miles, starting with the 2020 model year. With such a warranty, you should feel secure buying a replacement since there is an assurance of longevity [6].
This is fantastic news for Toyota hybrid owners who intend to keep their vehicles for a long time. Additionally, it reassures reluctant potential car buyers to consider purchasing a used hybrid vehicle.
- It’s the battery, not the car, which has an issue
By the time the battery fails, the hybrid car has undoubtedly served you well and is still in good condition. Moreover, a hybrid automobile has a longer lifespan than a normal car since its engine runs less frequently. Also, its most common design doesn’t need fluid or friction couplings.
There are hybrid vehicles on the road today that are at least 19 years old and still operate on their original engines and traction batteries. For example, some taxis today are said to have 750,000 kilometers on them.
It all takes proper maintenance. A hybrid car has the longest lifespan possible. Therefore, it makes sense to preserve the car’s peak performance for as long as possible.
Read also: Toyota Corolla Hybrid Problems
Protecting your hybrid’s car battery pack
While a battery typically lasts eight years, some can last up to and even past ten years. Therefore, the lifespan of your battery could easily be impacted by how you handle it [7].
- Keep it cool
You should have an auxiliary system to keep your hybrid’s battery cool. Regularly clean this auxiliary fan. The fan blades normally have an oily coating, and dust adheres to the oil. Dust will build up, as a result, obstructing the airflow to your battery.
A battery’s life is reduced if it is warm rather than cool. Therefore, maintaining a clean auxiliary fan will increase battery life.
- Conduct battery screening
Your petrol engine will operate more smoothly if you maintain your car regularly. This will relieve pressure on the electrical battery. Have the service center routinely examine the condition of your hybrid battery.
A competent mechanic with battery reconditioning experience can restore poor cells to over 97 percent of their original strength. You can save thousands of dollars on a new battery with simple reconditioning.
- Maintain a schedule
Regular non-hybrid cars require the same amount of maintenance as hybrid vehicles. So follow the same maintenance regimen for your hybrid as you would for a non-hybrid car.
When a car seems to work smoothly, or money is a little tight for a month, owners are likelier to ignore a maintenance schedule.
Don’t skip out on routine maintenance. For example, a hybrid battery replacement might cost between $1,000 and $6,000. This costs a lot more than a regular maintenance visit for your hybrid.
Has your battery been evaluated once it has been in your car for more than 80,000 miles or eight years? Then, plan to take your vehicle for a regular battery checkup once every 12 months.
- Weather concerns
Extreme cold and heat significantly impact a hybrid battery’s longevity. For example, at 110 degrees, a hybrid battery can lose effectiveness.
It takes a while for hybrid engines to warm up in bitterly cold temperatures. However, an early start will merely warm up the gas engine. On very chilly mornings, hybrid owners claim it takes them longer to warm up their vehicles than the average motorist.
Ensure the ventilation of your hybrid battery. Some hybrid vehicles include batteries underneath the passenger seat; as a result, the ventilation system in the car keeps the battery aired. Consequently, you must always ensure that your vehicle has a clean air filter.
Read Also: Toyota Estima Hybrid Problems
Conclusion
There is no point in giving up such a good product as a hybrid car for something you can easily sort out. A hybrid with 250,000 miles on it with a new battery is as good and effective as a new conventional or even hybrid car.
Hybrid cars are in demand and having one is a privilege. When the battery fails, replace it and continue enjoying the benefits of the vehicle. In addition, a hybrid car saves you money since it is fuel efficient, quiet, and environmentally friendly.
