Hybrid Car Batteries: Best Guide

This battery is just like any other battery, aside from its ability to be recharged. There are two electrodes in the hybrid batteries which would sit in an iron-rich solution which is the electrolyte and it prevents short-circuiting. It also consists of a polymer film that separates the electrodes and prevents them from touching. 

Although the hybrid battery is also known as a battery, it is a battery pack that houses a lot of individual cells. Our cell phone’s battery is a single cell battery and anything that houses two cells offer more “juice” to power the larger machine like a laptop or your hybrid automobile. If proper care is taken then these batteries would last about 10 years or 144,000 miles.

There are three types of car batteries that are used in hybrid vehicles. Each of them has some positive qualities. Now let’s have a look at them below:

1. Lead-acid battery - These types of batteries are the most affordable ones for hybrid automobiles. They are very safe and their performance is proven in the vehicles. This battery has been used for a lot of years in automobiles. Though they do not last as long as some of the latest batteries, they also store less energy.

2. Nickel-metal-hydride battery - This type of battery is currently used in hybrid vehicles so that it can power the car engine. This type of battery is easily rechargeable, and it is the same type that is used in consumer electronics. These batteries produce more energy than the lead-acid battery, which gives about four to five miles per kilowatt-hour.

3. Lithium-ion battery - Large amounts of energy are held by these batteries, which make them excellent choices for hybrid car batteries. It is the same battery that is used in laptops and other portable electronics. Enough energy is stored in this battery to run a car on electricity alone for twenty-five miles or more.

Do you want to know the essential features of hybrid batteries? Then you have arrived at the right place. Have a look below to know the important features of hybrid batteries:

1. Environmentally Friendly - A gasoline-powered car runs cleaner and also provides better gas mileage which makes it environmentally friendly. A hybrid vehicle runs on a twin-powered engine that cuts fuel consumption and conserves energy.

2. Financial Benefits - Hybrid automobiles are supported by a lot of credits and incentives which helps in making them affordable. The lower annual tax bills, as well as exemption from congestion charges, save a lot of money which would be spent on the fuel.

3. Less dependence on Fossil Fuels - A hybrid car is much cleaner and also needs very little fuel to run, which means fewer emissions and less dependence on fossil fuels. It also, in turn, helps in reducing the price of gasoline in the domestic market.

4. Regenerative Braking System - Every time you apply the car brake, it recharges the battery a little. There is an internal mechanism that kicks in and prevents energy loss by supplying the released energy to charge the battery. This eliminates the time and requirement for stopping to recharge the battery periodically.

5. Built from Light Materials - The hybrid automobiles are made up of lighter materials, which means there is a requirement for less energy to run. The engine is smaller as well as lighter which also saves a lot of energy.

6. Higher Resale Value - With an increase in the price of gasoline, more and more people are turning towards hybrid cars. As a result, green automobiles have commanded higher than average resale values. So in case you are not satisfied with the vehicle, you have an option to sell it at a premium price.

Are you searching for how hybrid batteries work? Have a look below to have a clear understanding:

There is an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that powers hybrid electric vehicles. It utilizes the energy which is stored in the car batteries. It is not possible to plug in the hybrid electric vehicle to charge the battery. Instead of that, the car battery would be charged through regenerative braking and also by the internal combustion engine. The extra power which would be provided by the electric motor might allow for a smaller engine. Auxiliary loads can also be powered by the battery, like sound systems and headlights, and reduce engine idling when it would be stopped. Altogether, these features lead to better fuel economy and at the same time, the performance is not sacrificed.

Do you want to know some frequent problems which might start occurring in the hybrid batteries? Take a look below to know some frequent problems with the hybrid batteries:

1. Weak Batteries - Hybrid car batteries are typically weaker than normal car batteries, requiring replacement more frequently. In the long term, this expense may not be significant because hybrid vehicle drivers often spend less on petrol, depending on their daily driving habits, but it's always good to be prepared. It is sometimes more expensive to replace a hybrid car's battery than it is to replace a normal car's battery.

2. Oxygen Sensors - Oxygen sensors are used in both normal and hybrid cars to detect the amount of unburned oxygen emitted through the exhaust. High oxygen levels in the exhaust signal a serious problem with gas mileage, which can grow costly over time as more trips to the gas station are made. Replacement of oxygen sensors is a pricey repair, but it will save money in the long term by reducing fuel economy.

3. Catalytic Converter - If you've ever had to change your car's catalytic converter, whether it was a hybrid or not, you know it's not a simple task. Replacement of a catalytic converter can be pricey depending on the car, and sadly, it is one of the more expensive repairs in hybrid automobiles.

4. Evaporative Emissions System - Leaks or malfunctions of the evaporative emissions system (EVAP) are also regular problems for hybrid drivers. When valves or lines break, this system is responsible for limiting emissions and frequently requires new parts.

5. Low Highway Gas Mileage - Regenerative braking is a feature of hybrid automobiles that allows them to absorb energy. When you slam on the brakes, you release energy in the form of heat. Hybrids, unlike traditional cars, use this energy to replenish their batteries so they can be used again. The batteries in hybrid vehicles do not get recharged if they spend a lot of time traveling at highway speeds without stopping. This does not degrade fuel efficiency, but it also does not improve it. On the highway, hybrid vehicles perform similarly to compact vehicles.

There are a few things that might cause your hybrid batteries to malfunction. Watch for the following symptoms if you suspect a bad hybrid battery:

1. Decreased Fuel Economy - If you are experiencing decreased fuel economy, it means there are some issues with your car battery. If there is a steady decrease in fuel efficiency with no other rhyme or reason, then it is best to contact a technician for a thorough check.

2. Internal Combustion Engine Running More Than Usual - If the ICE (internal combustion engine) starts to kick in more often than usual, it indicates that there are a lot of issues in the hybrid battery. This can cause the engine to kick in unexpectedly and run longer than usual. 

3. State of Charge - Now if you are watching the screen and then you start to see fluctuations in your SOC, this is an indication that there are a lot of issues in your charging system or battery.

4. Unexplained Drop in Battery Bars - Is there a drop in your car battery bars with little to no usage? If you park your automobile with full bars and when you come back you have one bar left, this means that there is an underlying issue with the hybrid battery which should be examined immediately.

Are you thinking of repairing your Hybrid Batteries on your own? Then there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for repairing your Hybrid Batteries. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools which you might need to get started with your repair work:

• Set of hand tools
• Drill
• Screwdriver

For vehicle owners' choices, the brands matter a lot. You might pay for a specific car part brand over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability, and trust. Some leading car parts brands are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related to the quality. So have a look at some top brands for Hybrid Batteries.

• Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) Hybrid Batteries And Parts
• Dorman (OE Solutions) Hybrid Batteries And Parts

It is very important to arm yourself with information before you shop for any auto parts. We are here to help you dive deep into the names of the Hybrid Batteries related parts.

• Hybrid Battery Pack
• Inverter Cooler Pump
• Drive Motor Inverter

Hybrid Batteries replacement costs can differ widely depending on the application, the brand of the Hybrid Batteries as well as who does the work. All you have to do is to replace your faulty Hybrid Batteries with us online and then you can leave your car to the mechanic and pick it up a few days later. Just be sure that the car mechanic is highly skilled and has an excellent reputation. Sometimes the additional service level might cost you more than what you have expected. We also recommend you to take pictures of your car before you leave it with them so that you are sure that later on it is returned to you in an unharmed condition. 

• Hybrid battery testing, as well as conditioning, are to be between $1,200 to $1,800.
• A new hybrid battery costs $3,000 to $8,000.
• A utilized hybrid battery cost will be in the vicinity of $1,500 to $3,500.
• Rebuilt hybrid battery price to be between $1,500 to $5,000

Keen to know about the procedure of changing the Hybrid Batteries? Well, we have simplified the entire procedure for you:

Step 1 

Open the car trunk and then the battery should be located right behind the rear seats. Then you have to remove the safety plug which can be found under the carpet. 

Step 2

Remove the trunk floor mat, privacy cover, and then the trunk floor storage bin. Then you will be able to see the hybrid battery. Lift the plug handle and hold it down and then pull it out. 

Step 3

Then disconnect the 12 Volt car battery by removing the ground cable. After that, the plastic trim piece should be removed by pulling it upwards. Remove the front cover of the hybrid battery.

Step 4

Use pliers to pop out the clips on both sides and then you will get access to the battery. Remove the air duct on both sides of the battery. Then take out the cover of the battery by disconnecting the wires. 

Step 5

Disconnect the battery vacuum and then remove the lower duct. Remove all the bolts from the battery. Lift the battery carefully as it is heavy and find a place to put the battery to work on it. Then take its hard metal piece of which will give access to the battery cells.

Step 6

Remove the old battery cells and put in the new ones. The first thing which you have to do is remove the 8 case bolts. Then remove the case of the battery.

Step 7

Now you will see the hybrid battery properly from the inside. Then remove the black covers as it will give you access to all the bus bar nuts which you need to remove from both sides of the battery using power tools. 

Step 8

Next, remove the vent tubes and the temperature sensor using a screwdriver. Remove the two nuts which are holding the battery. 

Step 9

Now once the nuts are removed, carefully flip the battery over. Remove all the bolts on the battery by using power tools. After that, the bottom case should be removed. Flip the battery block.

Step 10

Compression blocks should then be removed. Finally, pull out the old damaged battery cells so that new ones can be installed. 

Step 11

Place the new battery packs in proper order and make sure that they fit together perfectly. The compression block should align with the edge of your battery. 

Step 12

Flip the battery upside down and reinstall the case. Carefully tighten all the bolts which were removed. 

Step 13

Install the new battery in your car along with the interior pieces which were removed earlier.