Hybrid Vehicle battery life expectancy?
Ever since Toyota's Prius hybrid started hitting the road, one common criticism of hybrid technology has been the question it's reliability over time.
Because hybrid cars utilize an electric motor in tandem with a gasoline engine, the car needs a special battery - a battery which typically costs 1000's of dollars.
So what's the deal? Are hybrid vehicle batteries reliable?
According to Toyota engineers, for example, the battery is well under-utilized and problems are not expected. In fact the Toyota battery, and all other hybrid components, are covered by a 10 year, or 100,000 mile warranty.
The Ford Escape hybrid which has been released in small numbers and should hit dealerships throughout the U.S. in the Summer of 2005, carries an 8 year, or 100,000 mile warranty.
The Honda Accord hybrid, which hits showrooms next month, has a battery warranty that covers 8 years, or 80,000 miles.
Labels: electric cars, ford escape hybrid, hybrid cars, small cars, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns @ 1:11 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
I use Nickle Metal Hydride batteries in my digital camera. I have 3 sets that I rotate between the flash attachment and the camera as needed. Over time the batteries do not hold a charge as long as they do when new and will discharge when not used. Should the batteries used cars age in a similar manner the hybrid cars will see less fuel efficiency as the car ages becuase the engine will have to charge the batteries more often. Has someone read a warranty to see if performance is coverered? I bet total battery failure is the only thing covered.
Most drivers of the first generation Prius have not reported significant problems with the performance of their hybrid vehicles and their hybrid battery.
Nonetheless, there have been some cases of hybrid battery performance degrading fairly significantly.
Is this due to a bad battery, excessive driving??? That isn't really clear at this point.
Still, I know some people that were given replacement batteries for poor battery performance - though I think the warranty is sketchy on the issue of performance.
Ultimately; however, according to CR studies, this hasn't been a significant issue.
my brother researched the toyota prius battery life. he said it lasted 4 years and the replacement cost was half the price of the car
Looks like most of the first generation Prius batteries last at least ten years and the replacement costs are about $3000. The second generation batteries do better.
I have a 2002 toyota prius. It has 191,006 miles on it and I've never had a problem. My fuel efficiency has not degraded - I still pull between 42 and 50 mpg combined city and highway. I have never heard anyone that I know of needing a battery replacement, nor has anyone at the dealership where I do all of my business. (I have 2 prius' and a Camry hybrid). Definitely the way to go until full electric arrives. By the way, how much would a new enginge cost on your gas guzzling hummer after 191,000? Probably at least as much as a new battery. Have definitely heard of people having to replace engines.
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