Ever since hybrid cars began to show up on the market in the late 1990s, a big concern of potential buyers has been its powertrain battery system. Unlike a standard car battery the batteries powering the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius work closely with the vehicle’s powertrain, supplying energy to move the vehicle. No one but a mechanic trained in vehicle hybrid systems should ever work on these battery packs.
Many more hybrid models are now on the market including the Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, hybrid Chevrolet trucks, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid and various Lexus hybrids. Those models are now being joined by pure electric vehicles including the Tesla Roadster and Nissan LEAF as well as an extended range vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt. With many models to choose from and many more soon to hit the market, the big question is this one: what kind of battery warranty should I expect?
Battery Warranty
There is no stock answer that can be given, as each company produces or supplies their own battery. However, a common theme in hybrid and pure electric battery packs is an eight-year, 100,000 mile warranty. In some cases, especially as mandated by the states, that warranty is for ten years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Before making a hybrid or pure electric vehicle purchase, study what the vehicle warranty covers. Most include the usual three-year, 36,000 mile or similar bumper to bumper warranty with the battery pack under a separate warranty. Familiarize yourself with what is covered by the warranty and avoid doing anything that may void your warranty. That means entrusting your car to a certified mechanic trained in hybrid or electrification systems which means letting your dealer handling maintenance and repairs.
Battery Replacement
When hybrid vehicles began to show up on the market, replacement batteries were expensive. And, no one new for sure how long the original batteries would last. As it turns out, Toyota reports that there are hybrid vehicles on the road with more than 300,000 miles on the odometer and still using the original battery. Still, if you have to replace the battery and your car is no longer under warranty, check with your dealer to find out battery cost, labor charges and disposal procedures.
By 2020, every manufacturer will have at least one hybrid or pure electric vehicle available for sale. If the technology catches on and costs continue to drop, then vehicle electrification could be commonplace by that time. That’s good news for people who want to drive a more fuel efficient and clean burning vehicle, something today’s engineers are working to bring about.
By Matthew Keegan