Unfortunately, batteries don’t last forever. While this might seem like an obvious statement, some people who own hybrid cars expect their battery to keep working like it should indefinitely. The fact is that batteries, whether it be the AA Duracell batteries in a flashlight or the complex Lithium Ion battery pack in a hybrid car, will degrade over time. It's like any other engine component. It will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. The key is determining when that will happen and how to handle it. So, when will your hybrid car's battery pack fail? Probably not for several years but definitely eventually.
Most Hybrid Batteries Last a Long Time
Hybrid batteries are designed to last a long time. Many will be good well into and sometimes beyond 150,000 miles, though some fail before then. That means you can drive for many years before you need to worry about your hybrid battery, making it an extremely reliable piece of equipment. Typically, hybrid batteries last 10 to 15 years, which is more than enough time for owners to rack up a lot of miles.
As we stated above, most hybrid batteries are good for over 100,000 miles and many will soldier on past the six-digit mark. Hyundai, for instance, has tested its Sonata Hybrid battery up to 300,000 miles and found battery degradation was minimal. Still, there’s no guarantee that the battery will last that long. Some fail at 70,000 miles, others 80,000. When that happens you’ll need to find a replacement or get used to driving around with just the gasoline engine.
Warranties Should Alleviate Some of Your Worries
The battery pack in a hybrid car is under warranty when you make your purchase. The typical warranty for a hybrid battery is about 8-10 years or around 100,000-150,000 miles, whichever comes first. While that probably alleviates most of your hybrid battery worries, as you can tell, the warranty expires right when the battery is about to fail. This means probably about the time you need a new battery pack for your hybrid ride, your warranty coverage will run out.
Before you purchase a hybrid of any kind, make sure to ask about the warranty. You need to know what’s covered and what isn’t. Some hybrid warranties are better than others. Hyundai offers a lifetime hybrid battery warranty, meaning they will replace the battery should it fail no matter how long it’s been since you purchased the car.
Replacement Can Be Expensive
If your battery isn’t covered by a warranty, you may have to fork over several thousand dollars to get a new one. Many people have reported three and four thousand dollar repair bills for a new hybrid battery pack. Those prices are for brand new hybrid batteries and you can get refurbished or used hybrid batteries for much less. You also have the option to go to a salvage yard to find a battery pack from a newer (but still used) hybrid car that you can use.
The bottom line is that there are some options out there to get a replacement battery for your hybrid car if you’re willing to search for one. If you don’t want to mess with it, go ahead and pay for a new OEM battery. It will last you a long time and is less expensive than buying a new car.
Interested in hybrid cars? Check out these models we've recently driven.
Hyundai Sonata
Find Local Discounts on the Hyundai Sonata
Lexus CT 200h
Find Local Discounts on the Lexus CT 200h