The fuel economy of hybrid car batteries is — in a word — awesome. Many hybrid batteries come with an eight year/100,000 miles warranty, which is good. Then again, research does show that the lifespan of hybrid batteries can be as low as six years. Whatever the case may be, the fact of the matter is that hybrid car batteries are efficient, but don’t last as long as the vehicle itself, which means that hybrid battery replacements may be necessary down the line.
Fortunately, there are ways to extend the lifespan of hybrid car batteries. Here are just a few.
Come to a Gradual Stop. – One of the ways to extend the life of hybrid car batteries is to stop braking as hard. Rather than using your brakes so much, you should coast to stops instead. Just be sure you still use the brakes when necessary , like if you were to be driving down a hill. And keep an eye out for obstacles, and pedestrians.
Stop Charging the Battery All the Way. – Believe it or not, hybrid car batteries are not meant to be charged all the way. Pushing the battery to its extremes — draining and then charging it 100% — kills its lifespan. Some hybrid vehicles actually come with a recommended amount of charge to go to. The 2011 Nissan LEAF, for example, should only be charged to about 80%. So rather than filling your battery up all the way, just make sure it’s full enough for the time being.
Try to Avoid Jack Rabbit Starts. – When you stop at an intersection, your hybrid vehicle shuts its gas engine down. When you’re ready to move forward, simply press on your accelerator lightly, and it’ll keep the vehicle in all-electric mode, which not only helps cycle the battery, but give it a better fuel economy.
These are just a few of the ways you can extend the lifespan of your hybrid’s battery. If you have any questions, feel free to share in the comments.
