Hybrids Doing AWESOME Long Term? Almost ALL Still Running On Original Batteries...

It's been remarkable to watch how cars like the Toyota Prius have taken the automotive industry by storm. While hybrids are a mere fraction of total vehicle sales, the reality is that it's quite hard to argue that this is not the wave of the future given regulatory requirements.

The biggest pill to swallow many years ago was the issue with the batteries. Firstly, will they deplete charge once the warranty expires and then buyers will be stuck with expensive paperweights? Secondly, what do you do when that happens: Replace the battery or the vehicle?

It turns out that many early adopters have not had to make the latter decision. That's because many of the early Prius' and Honda Civic Hybrids are still using the original battery they were shipped with.

According to The Truth About Cars, the batteries were engineered with safeguards to prevent serious depletion that is aided along when a battery is either fully charged or fully depleted. So, product developers decided to force the batteries to only make use of 60-70 percent of their capacity to avoid that premature end of life.

Anecdotally, Agent 001 and I have spoken to many taxi drivers using their hybrid autos and most have said that they've used the vehicles up to 300,000 on the original battery. Though I spoke with a couple of drivers who had their batteries replaced it was all taken care of under warranty.

So, how about that, Spies?

Read Article

nguyenvuminh - 7/19/2016 11:44:22 PM

+3 Boost

That's good to hear. One less thing to worry about.

TheSteve - 7/20/2016 12:44:48 AM

0 Boost

If this is accurate and complete information, then it is indeed GREAT news!

w222 - 7/20/2016 11:08:25 AM

+2 Boost

Hybrids tend to have bad resell value due to worries about the batteries. This should put some of those worries to rest.

MDarringer - 7/20/2016 11:25:28 AM

+1 Boost

This is indeed quite encouraging because hybridization much more than EVs will be the immediate future. In fact I am surprised that minivans, large crossovers, and large SUVs are not already hybridized across the board. I would rather have a hybrid powertrain than an Ecoboost for MPG.

TomM - 7/20/2016 7:35:47 PM

+2 Boost

Sorry Matt - I cannot agree with you on that one. Most of the Hybrids I have driven are slugs on the road - the brakes are Wonky - and I hate the CVTs too. If you live where winter is - they don't heat up as quickly either. Yes - they get good gas mileage- remember that I drive one for work - but they are nothing more exciting than a 3 cylinder econo-car. The regenerative brakes simply remove the desire to drive where braking is often needed - since they are impossible to predict most of the time.

I admit that an Eco-boost is not a MPG competitor as well. WE already know that they do not get near the mileage they claim - unless you drive them gingerly - without much boost - and they have another problem - carbon deposits on valves that cannot be cleaned using conventional cleaning methods (Direct injection actually produces more carbon particles - look at the soot at the exhaust of some older DFi cars). Example - Ford is recommending scoping the valves in rough running and idling eco-boost engines - and IF carbon deposits are the culprit - replace the heads! Current cleaning methods are not allowed because they will seize the Turbos. And if this happens because of an attempt to clean the valves - they will not cover the turbo replacement.

The reason why Mini-vans - and Large and Suv/CUV 's are not Hybrids are because of the low price of fuel making the difference hard to justify for the added cost. I am sure the manufacturers already have looked into this - even probably have designs on the books- but if I spent the kind of money an Escalade costs - I would not accept regenerative brakes at all.

But be real - Matt - I cannot see a TVR type person sitting in the slow lane of a highway driving a high mileage Hybrid - You like to put your foot down - and actually move.