Hybrid cars use a combination of gasoline and stored energy from nickel-metal hydride batteries to power their engines. Hybrid cars get better gas mileage than most fuel-powered cars. Hybrid batteries charge while the car is in use and do not have to be plugged in to a power source. Like any battery, hybrid batteries come with a usable life after which the batteries will not function properly.
Life
Hybrid car makers Toyota, Honda and Ford cover the cost of battery replacements on new cars for the first 100,000 or 150,000 miles depending on the state where the car is sold, according to Newsweek. Toyota claims the life of the battery put in new Priuses is about 180,000 miles. People who buy used Priuses with over 100,000 miles on the cars may find themselves in need of battery replacements after their purchases. According to MSN Autos, Honda covers battery replacement on their hybrid Insights for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Cost
Once a hybrid car's battery stops working, it's up to the car's owner to pay for a replacement. Getting a brand new battery from the dealership will cost several thousand dollars. According to a Newsweek article from May 2008, a new battery for a hybrid car costs between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. You also have the option of buying a used hybrid battery from a junkyard for less. The Newsweek article states that used hybrid batteries range in price from $450 to $1,700. Since pre-owned batteries have already been used in vehicles, they have a reduced life.
Service
MSN Autos states that older hybrid batteries do not show a decline in performance. When a hybrid battery reaches the end of its useful life, it simply stops working. This makes it hard to tell if your battery is near the end of its life. Replacing a hybrid battery is more complicated than a typical car battery replacement, according to the Newsweek article. Hybrid auto makers do not recommend that amateur mechanics attempt hybrid battery replacement themselves. If your hybrid needs a battery replacement, the car maker suggests you return the vehicle to a dealership to have the work done. The labor costs for replacing a hybrid battery run around $900, according to Newsweek.
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