While hybrids do have the extra bit of battery and electric motor tech that isn't on a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle, maintenance costs do not necessarily go up as a result.
While you can expect about the same amount of maintenance and repairs as a regular engine, hybrid engines may cost more to maintain due to their advanced technology. This is just one of the many things to think about when deciding whether a hybrid vehicle is right for you.
Less horsepower. While most drivers choose a hybrid for its fuel economy and emissions, one disadvantage of hybrids is that they may not possess the same overall horsepower as a traditional car.
Battery degradation is one of the most common problems with hybrid cars. This can cause a decrease in the car's performance and mileage, as well as an increase in fuel consumption. The battery may eventually lose its capacity over time, leading to decreased performance and range from the vehicle.
Consumer Reports published annual reliability surveys for several years, which indicate hybrids are generally more reliable than their gas-only counterparts. But why? Hybrids were the most reliable among any vehicle types, with SUVs ranking third.
Since hybrids have both regenerative batteries and a fuel engine, both are used proportionally less — meaning both are likely to last longer. Roughly speaking, though, hybrid car drivers can expect to drive their car from anything between 5 and 15 years if suitable maintenance is carried out on them.
Hybrid Cars Are Expensive
One of the most common misconceptions is that it costs more to maintain a hybrid or electric vehicle than gasoline. Studies have shown that they are less expensive than conventional vehicles. In some instances, the lifetime cost of a hybrid car costs almost half as little.
Ranking among luxury brands, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid received top marks for reliability among surveyed consumers. Earning the top spot in reliability overall, Toyota has other hybrids in its lineup that rank high in reliability, like the RAV4 Hybrid and the well-known Prius.
Typically, hybrids have lower battery ranges than all-electric vehicles, and the electrical capacity is designed more to supplement gasoline driving and to help maximize fuel efficiency. Some hybrids offer an electric-only driving mode, which may only be available for low speeds and/or short driving ranges.
Hybrid Car Battery Life
The major hybrid concerns most often cited by hybrid-reluctant consumers are battery life and battery reliability. Therefore, the how-long-does-a-battery-last question is a fair one.
Is a hybrid car worth it? If you want the flexibility that a combustion engine AND electric motor offers, then yes - to put it simply. The reality is that reliability and performance will vary between makes and models and how they suit you is down to, well, you!
Hybrid battery replacement ranges from between $2,000 to $8,000, but bear in mind that most drivers have sold their vehicle by the time their battery is due for a change.
The Maintenance on a Hybrid Car is Usually the Same
ASE-certified mechanics can still perform most routine maintenance and repair services on these vehicles. The biggest exceptions will be the drive train, electrical system, and brake system, which require more advanced training.
Some types of hybrids are incredibly reliable and will have fewer breakdowns than the non-hybrid version of the same car. The Toyota Camry Hybrid, for example, was at the top of the list for most reliable vehicles in 2022 according to Consumer Reports.
The hybrid car appeal centers on fuel efficiency. Since a hybrid car can run on a battery some of the time, you won't need to fill up as often or worry about gas prices as you would with a typical gas car. Over the long haul, the savings can be significant. And by using less fuel, you're also reducing carbon emissions.
Electric models rely completely on their batteries to power them, while a hybrid model uses the battery to enhance its fuel economy. Electric models also receive the highest tax incentives and need to be charged, while hybrid models passively regenerate their battery.
A plug-in hybrid may be able to get a little charge through regenerative braking. But since a plug-in car has a larger battery that it relies on more, it needs to be connected to an external power source to fully recharge. Full hybrids can recharge their electric batteries through regenerative braking.
The car starts up in electric mode automatically and stays in this mode up until a speed between 43 mph and 80 mph. If additional power is needed, or if the battery's charge is too low, then the car will activate the combustion engine.
Less Overall Maintenance: Similar to oil changes, you'll likely need less overall maintenance with a hybrid vehicle. With the internal combustion engine being used less, there are fewer moving parts that will be worn down.
The hybrid replacement battery pack for a Toyota RAV4 costs anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000. However, the final sum depends on whether you get a new, used, or recycled battery, and it's possible to replace it for $1,500-$3,500.
Not only can you save fuel, Toyota Hybrids are also more affordable to service than you may think. With parts like brake pads wearing less, as well as convenient service plans, service costs are no more expensive than a conventional car.
High fuel prices have made hybrid cars more appealing than ever, but there are still some models that lose a huge proportion of their value over three years...
Hybrid Car Battery
They rely on the electricity created from their battery, like powering the car's AC. This is why they can be so expensive.
Some hybrid components don't require regular maintenance as often, but your vehicle will still need to be routinely serviced. You'll want to stay on top of tire rotations, brake fluid checks, engine air filter replacements, high voltage cooling system inspections, and other MSMS services.