What you need to know about your Toyota's hybrid car battery

 

If you drive a hybrid car, then you know that what goes on under the hood is significantly different than what goes on under the hood of a traditional gasoline-powered car. One of the elements that's significantly different is the hybrid car battery, and Toyota of Orlando is here to explain how. Learn the basics when it comes to this critical car part so you can have confidence when it comes to scheduled auto service or repairs. 

What exactly do these VIP parts do? 

We'll start with the basics - what they do. Hybrid car batteries are responsible for a lot more than just getting your car up and running; they actually are responsible for ensuring that your electric motor stays charged up enough to power the car at certain points, like when you're idling or moving at super-slow speeds. They play an essential role in performance. 

Did you know that there are actually three types of car batteries when it comes to hybrids? Here's the breakdown: 

• Nickel metal hydride batteries are the type you'll find in hybrid cars like the N Charlotte Toyota Prius. They're affordable to produce and have great durability and longevity, as well as a good ability to hold power. 
• Lithium ion batteries are more common than you'd think - they're also used in things like laptops, phones, and tablets because they're able to store so much power. However, they lose that ability over time and are more expensive to produce. 
• Lead acid batteries are the least prone to failure, but they aren't able to hold much power. If you were to put one in a hybrid car, it would only be able to power the car for 10 miles before running out of juice. 

If you're thinking about buying a N Charlotte Toyota hybrid, then you're probably also wondering just how long these car batteries last and how much it costs to replace them when it's time. We got the answers straight from our auto service techs: 

• Hybrid car batteries are built to last a long time - significantly longer than regular car batteries, actually. Typically, as long as you care for it properly and get routine car maintenance, this type of battery will last 200,000+ miles (which is great news, because they used to conk out at around 100,000 miles or so. Technology has vastly improved their longevity.). 
• When it comes time to replace your car battery in your N Charlotte Toyota hybrid, however, you may find it a bit more costly than replacing a traditional car battery. While it used to run upwards of $10,000, advancements in tech have brought it down to a much more affordable range of $1,000 - $5,000, depending on your make, model, and battery brand. When you factor in how much it would cost to fuel a non-hybrid car and replace all of the non-hybrid batteries, it's definitely worth it. 

Get help with your car battery, hybrid or not, at Toyota of N Charlotte

Want to test drive a hybrid car OR need service, repairs, or replacement for your car battery, hybrid or not? We've got you covered. Call Toyota of N Charlotte today at (704) 659-2040 or stop by and see us at 13429 Statesville Road, just off I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville!