A hybrid's battery is recharged by the internal combustion engine and by collecting energy when the car brakes. The battery powers an electric motor that supplements, or takes over for, the gasoline-powered engine. The cost of hybrid batteries ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, although we have gotten reports of some hybrid owners being quoted $4,800 to $8,000! This could be due to the current high demand for hybrid cars. And, although the hybrid battery may be covered under the car’s warranty, once the warranty expires, you could find yourself in for more of a ‘charge’ than you expected.

The Benefits

• hold twice as much energy as lead batteries
• have a longer life cycle
• require no maintenance
• the materials in them are far less toxic than the materials in regular car batteries.

The Disadvantages

• they can be heavy and bulky
• High price- as much as $5000.
• With sudden boom of hybrid cars, there is a supply shortage

 

Back to Hybrid CAR FAQ's

Learn more about hybrid cars:

Toyota Prius

Toyota Highlander

Lexus RX 400h

Ford Escape

Honda Accord

Honda Insight

Honda Civic