Advice

Hybrid Battery Health: 5 Pro Tips

By 02/28/2024 8:00am
2023 Toyota Prius Limited in silver rear view.

Quick Facts About Hybrid Battery Health

A common issue contributing to consumer resistance to hybrids is the specter of paying thousands of dollars to replace the battery somewhere down the road.

Pairing a battery-fueled electric motor with an internal combustion engine (ICE) to propel a vehicle can enhance fuel economy and increase torque, which determines the rate of acceleration. These are valuable benefits in performance and efficiency. It begs the question: Why doesn’t everyone drive a hybrid? On average, today’s hybrid batteries last at least 10 years, or between 100,000 to 150,000 miles. Kia suggests its hybrid batteries will last 150,000 miles or up to 15 years before needing replacement. Some last much longer. How can you squeeze more years and more miles out of a hybrid battery? Continue reading.

5 Tips to Maintain Hybrid Battery Health

Like your smartphone’s battery, a hybrid’s battery gradually loses its charge capacity over time, leading to more frequent charging. In more recent hybrid models, hybrid batteries are lithium-ion, just like smartphones. Some older model hybrids used nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. Although our tips are geared toward lithium-ion versions, they mostly apply to NiMH batteries, as well. We’ve lumped plug-in hybrid (PHEV) batteries in with those of conventional hybrids like the Toyota Prius. We’ve noted if a tip is strictly for a plug-in hybrid or hybrid vehicle that doesn’t require a plug for charging on an external power source.

  1. Minimize exposure to extreme temperatures — Batteries simply do not perform well in more extreme temperatures. The ideal range for hybrid battery efficiency and performance is in the range of 59-95 degrees Fahrenheit. The greater the temperature difference from this optimum range, the more severe the issues become. Repeated exposure to extreme heat wears out the battery, while exposure to extreme cold degrades its efficiency (reduces its range). NOTE: Extreme cold also radically increases charging times, as well.
  2. Refrain from charging to 100% (PHEV) — Most experts agree, repeated charging to 100% capacity reduces battery life. Many newer plug-in hybrids have battery management systems that can cap battery charging to 80% or so. If your PHEV doesn’t come with this feature, keep tabs on the charging level and unplug at 80%.
  3. Avoid long periods of non-use — Even when parked, the charge in a hybrid battery is depleting. Allowing it to totally discharge and then sit idle for days, not to mention weeks or months, will whittle away its life expectancy. For a hybrid, that means at least running the engine every week or two for 20 to 30 minutes.
  4. Minimize fast charging (PHEV) —  Force feeding the electric charge into a battery via a Level 3 DC fast charger to an 80% charge is a welcome time saver. This is particularly true when away from home. However, repeated fast charging degrades the battery. Kia, makers of the Sorento and Niro PHEVs, says fast charging can rob roughly 10% of a battery’s life over eight years compared to Level 2 charging.
  5. Regular battery maintenance — Maintaining a hybrid battery is as simple as ensuring the battery case is dirt-free. A cooling fan also includes a filter, like an engine’s air filter that must be periodically cleaned or replaced, as well.

RELATED: 6 Reasons to Buy a Plug-in Hybrid

Warning Signs of Battery Failure

  • Illuminated dashboard warning light(s) — Dashboard warning lights will pop on when the hybrid battery begins to fail. These may be assorted warning lights, like the check hybrid engine light, or even a message requesting a hybrid system check.
  • Electric motor not engaging when accelerating — If the electric motor fails to kick under hard acceleration, it’s probably a battery issue.
  • Reduced fuel economy — If your fuel economy numbers begin dropping, it could be a sign the battery is dying.