One of the very few things that hybrid vehicles have gotten a bad rap for is that they fail. They vary by state, but most hybrid battery warranties are for eight years or 100,000 miles. The problem is that research has shown that they can and do fail as soon as six years after purchase. This is one of the biggest anxieties a hybrid owner has, but here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t freak out if your hybrid battery fails.
1. Batteries do fail.
First of all, batteries in hybrid cars do fail. Car parts fail. This is a part of life that modern science has yet to resolve. Though it is one of the most important parts of a hybrid car, it simply doesn’t stand to reason to think that batteries in hybrid cars are somehow above all this. Traditional 12-volt lead acid batteries in traditional internal combustion engine vehicles fail too — they’re just a little less expensive to replace.
2. It’s not actually that expensive.
Though hybrid batteries are pricier than the types of batteries drivers are used to replacing, which can usually be done under $100, hybrid batteries aren’t actually all that expensive in the grand scheme of things. Since hybrid fuel economy is so efficient, most drivers are saving at the pump for the lifetime of the car, so the $3,000 to $4,000 average cost of a replacement battery is actually recouped a couple times over.
3. You have options.
Aside from the fact that hybrid batteries aren’t that expensive, it’s also to remember that at this point, you have options for replacement. You are not limited to going to the dealership for a replacement battery. Since hybrids have been on the American market for about 15 years now, third party aftermarket suppliers have developed their own batteries, which are generally less expensive than the dealership’s.
Do you have any advice for anyone faced with hybrid battery replacement? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.