As a seasoned gearhead and street racing chronicler, I've always been fascinated by the inner workings of high-performance vehicles. But when it comes to hybrid cars, there's a different kind of power at play. The high-voltage battery is the unsung hero of the hybrid world, and understanding its lifespan is crucial for any owner. 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. But that's not all – Toyota goes further than required, offering a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty on its hybrids. 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, so you may still be covered if you buy used. But what happens when the battery does fail within that window? You have the peace of mind provided by the warranty, and ...
As a seasoned gearhead and street racing chronicler, I’ve always been fascinated by the inner workings of high-performance vehicles. But when it comes to hybrid cars, there’s a different kind of power at play. The high-voltage battery is the unsung hero of the hybrid world, and understanding its lifespan is crucial for any owner.
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. But that’s not all – Toyota goes further than required, offering a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty on its hybrids. 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, so you may still be covered if you buy used. But what happens when the battery does fail within that window? You have the peace of mind provided by the warranty, and 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.
So, how do hybrid batteries fail? There are several ways – failed battery cells and other associated electronics, exposure to extreme temperatures, and damage from accidents. 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. But after a certain point, too much degradation can make the battery as good as dead.
Reduced fuel economy, the hybrid system running less often, and the battery gauge no longer reaching full or reading correctly are all potential signs of a failing battery. And 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.
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