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When the first hybrid vehicles came onto the market, they were, unfortunately, very inefficient and required much larger batteries than they currently do. With the massive increase in fuel costs over the past decade, alternative methods for fueling and powering vehicles have become increasingly important. Nearly every major car manufacturer in the world is looking for new technologies and to increase their own ability to build more efficient hybrid car batteries. Hybrid car batteries use a variety of technologies, many of which are proprietary, belonging solely to the manufacturer of the car.
The Technology
Hybrid vehicles use two separate forms of energy to power their vehicle. The most popular is a gas/electric hybrid. Most of these use the gasoline motor to charge the electric battery, and when the battery is charged, the car runs from the electric power stored there. By using the dual-power method, hybrid vehicles are able to carry fewer, smaller batteries. Instead of being powered solely by the electric batteries, which would require massive storage capacity, the batteries are instead the backup power source, charged by the internal combustion engine.
Most hybrid vehicle batteries are Lithium Ion batteries. These batteries are used to power the vehicles primarily because they are less expensive than other batteries and offer superior storage capacity for their size. Of course, the cost is kept low primarily because of manufacturing volume. Lithium Ion batteries offer life spans of over 100,000 miles between replacements. Of course, the cost of lithium ion batteries is still expensive, meaning that the longer an owner can go between replacements, the more cost effective they become. Some used hybrid car batteries can be salvaged from hybrid vehicle wrecks, thus decreasing replacement costs even further. Of course, in these cases, it’s necessary to have the batteries inspected by a qualified professional to ensure that they are safe for continued use.
Recharging batteries, as batteries that use this method are known, is the most common type, and they allow a vehicle to travel several miles before the battery needs to be recharged. The use of the excess engine energy to charge the battery skews the miles per gallon estimates significantly higher, since during the time the battery is active, the fuel costs for the vehicle are cut significantly.
NiMH, or Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, are also common. Unlike some of their alternatives, they can be fully recycled for other use, and both Honda and Toyota offer recycling services that are qualified to dispose of the battery packs. The carmaker Toyota offers a 200-dollar dead battery payment for each battery that a customer turns in to the company.
Maintenance
The maintenance costs of a hybrid car are actually comparable to a standard, single power plant vehicle. Some studies have shown that the long-term costs are actually significantly lower than a comparable conventional vehicle, because of the decreased wear on the internal moving parts of the engine. Some car companies offer long warranties for their vehicles, in the event something goes wrong with the engine or hybrid electric battery. These car companies will typically allow a dealer to replace the hybrid battery at their local shop at no cost to the end consumer. Of course, the typical lifespan for a used hybrid car battery is measured in years, not months, and the warranty covers most problems that can arise, including full replacement if the failure is caused by faulty components. Manufacturers such as Toyota offer a 100,000 replacement guarantee on the battery packs, while Honda is limited to 80,000 miles. Toyota and Honda lead the hybrid market, both with their wildly popular Prius and Civic Hybrid models.
Replacement
Current hybrid battery packs are designed to be long-lasting additions to a car’s equipment. They’re projected to last as long as the vehicle itself, with replacement expected between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. Realistically, they have been tested to last in excess of 300,000 miles, when properly maintained. Of course, there are some exceptions, but most lithium batteries hybrid car makers use are easy to maintain and service for a qualified technician. A car hybrid battery is one of the longest-lasting parts in the vehicle.
Replacement of a hybrid car battery is difficult for someone who isn’t qualified, and should not be done by shade-tree mechanics working out of their garage. There are thousands of qualified mechanics across the country who are currently in training to be able to handle the batteries effectively. While the replacement and maintenance are currently somewhat cost prohibitive, as these mechanics continue their training and reenter the workforce as qualified hybrid battery technicians and mechanics, the overall cost will drop dramatically, and the back-end costs of having a hybrid car will drop accordingly. Currently, most car companies have made very few replacements of their hybrid car batteries, since they have proven so reliable and have been able to withstand all but the most demanding conditions on the planet. Hybrid cars have been driven in the winter as far north as Barrow, Alaska, and they have performed admirably. Of course, without proper care and maintenance, even the most reliable car battery will fail.
Disposal
The disposal of hybrid electric batteries is a difficult prospect. Because the batteries are full of heavy metals and chemicals, they’re unsuitable for standard disposal. They can be recycled into their components and used to build new batteries, or they can be broken down and sold in pieces. Of course, a hazardous materials specialist is required to handle them once they’re out of the vehicle for recycling, but local garages or car dealerships that deal in hybrid-electric vehicles are typically up to the task.
Regardless of the type of hybrid car that a consumer purchases, they can be confident that the battery will be the among the most reliable parts of the vehicle. As long as the car is purchased from a legitimate source, and the battery is examined by a professional before the purchase, the battery should last for years to come.
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