It seems that after about 15 years on the market, more and more drivers are comfortable with the idea of driving a hybrid car. In 2012, almost 2.2 million hybrids were sold in the U.S., and 4.5 million were sold worldwide. Since they aren’t such a new technology anymore, an increasing number of people are turning to hybrids to benefit from the great fuel economy and the eco-friendliness that the cars offer, but one thing that seems to pervade the hybrid discussion is the lifetime and reliability of the batteries in hybrid cars.
How Long Hybrid Batteries Last
The lifetime of a hybrid battery does depend on a few things. This differs between makes of cars or the manufacturer of the battery. Batteries in hybrid cars usually do not outlast the lifetime of the car itself, but neither does the traditional 12-volt lead acid battery. The range of time in which hybrid car owners need to look into hybrid battery replacement is about eight to 10 years after purchase.
Why You Don’t Need to Stress
Hybrid battery replacement is a source of anxiety for many hybrid owners and people who are thinking about buying one, but it shouldn’t be as much of a worry as it used to be. There have been enough advancements in hybrid battery technology that they perform much better and have more longevity than they used to.
Replacement Isn’t as Expensive as You Think it Is
The reason hybrid battery replacement is such a source of anxiety is that it can be pretty pricey. The thing is, the savings that driving a hybrid offers often make up for that cost. Hybrids are 25-35% more fuel efficient than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, and hybrid owners can benefit from thousands of dollars in tax deductions.
Do you have any questions about the longevity of hybrid batteries or what the replacement process is like? Feel free to ask us in the comments section.