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Hybrid vehicles are a popular choice, due to enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced carbon footprints. A common concern around hybrid driving — especially if you’re new to hybrid and electric cars — is the lifespan of the car’s battery.
Hybrid battery replacement is rare, but you can learn all you need to know about hybrid batteries and how to keep them in the best condition below.
We have plenty more resources to help you find out more about hybrid cars, including our guide on how hybrid cars work and the difference between HEV, BEV and PHEV.
You’ll typically get around 8-15 years from your hybrid car battery, which equates to around 100,000 to 150,000 miles. This depends on a range of factors that we’ll take a closer look at below and differs depending on the make and model of the hybrid car, as well as your driving habits. Hybrid cars typically come with a warranty to reassure drivers when it comes to longevity.
As battery technology advances, the lifespan of hybrid car batteries extends. BYD hybrid cars including the Seal U DM-i boast some of the most advanced technology on the market, including the world-leading, ultra-efficient Xiaoyun hybrid engine made specifically for Super DM Technology.
The way you drive has an impact on your hybrid car’s battery. While hybrid cars are made for stop-start traffic, excessive short trips can reduce lifespan - especially if the battery isn’t given enough time to recharge. Driving aggressively puts more strain on the battery, leading to faster wear. Reduce rapid acceleration and heavy braking to prevent your battery from wearing prematurely.
Similar to EV batteries, hybrid cars are designed to be kept within a specific charge range as a way of avoiding full discharge (an empty battery) and overcharging. Using nearly all of the battery's power before recharging can cause the battery to wear more quickly over time.
If you find yourself driving off road, on bumpy roads or in hilly areas, your hybrid battery will have to work harder, leading to faster degradation. This is due to the amount of stress the battery is under.
The way you drive has an impact on your hybrid car’s battery. While hybrid cars are made for stop-start traffic, excessive short trips can reduce lifespan - especially if the battery isn’t given enough time to recharge. Driving aggressively puts more strain on the battery, leading to faster wear. Reduce rapid acceleration and heavy braking to prevent your battery from wearing prematurely.
Similar to EV batteries, hybrid cars are designed to be kept within a specific charge range as a way of avoiding full discharge (an empty battery) and overcharging. Using nearly all of the battery's power before recharging can cause the battery to wear more quickly over time.
If you find yourself driving off road, on bumpy roads or in hilly areas, your hybrid battery will have to work harder, leading to faster degradation. This is due to the amount of stress the battery is under.
What can you do to extend the lifespan of your hybrid car’s battery?
Aggressive driving places unnecessary stress on the battery. To prevent this, drive smoothly. Be aware of aggressive driving habits and try to limit this, for example, hard braking and rapid acceleration. Smooth driving and acceleration help to preserve the battery. If your battery has an ‘eco’ mode, use this to optimise fuel efficiency.
Regenerative braking charges the battery by converting energy lost through braking and storing it as energy within the battery. Take advantage of this by braking gradually. When on the road, try to pre-empt stops and brake gently before you reach the hazard. This will help to maximise efficiency.
Plug-in hybrids are recharged when plugged into an external charger. To avoid battery degradation, avoid charging a PHEV to 100% and make sure you don’t let it run down to zero. Keep your plug-in hybrid charged within a moderate range - between 20% and 80% - to reduce wear.
With BYD electric and hybrid cars, thanks to the innovative Blade Battery, you can charge to 100% every time. You don’t have to worry about this having an impact on your EV’s battery, as it’s designed for maximum strength and a prolonged lifecycle.
Frequently loading up the car with heavy items puts extra strain on the battery and the engine. The more weight you place on the battery, the harder it will have to work, wearing it down more quickly. If you need to carry extra cargo, try to distribute the weight evenly.
Leaving a hybrid car to sit in your driveway for long periods can result in the battery degrading faster. To prevent this, take your car out frequently to keep the battery active. If you are leaving your car parked for a while, make sure it’s charged to at least 50% to prevent battery damage.
If you notice any of the following signs, it may be time to get a professional to check your hybrid car’s battery. Look out for the following:
A drop in fuel economy could mean your battery is worn and needs replacing. If you’re using more fuel than normal, this could be due to your battery no longer supporting the electric motor.
If you can’t travel as far using just electric power, this may be a sign of battery degradation. You might notice that your car’s engine kicks in more quickly.
Look out for the battery’s charge level. If it drops from full to low in a short amount of time, this could mean the battery is losing the ability to store energy. Losing charge quickly or charging more quickly than normal could be a sign of the battery losing capacity.
Most hybrid cars will show a warning light if there’s an immediate issue with the battery that you’ll need to get checked. This might be displayed as ‘Check Hybrid System’ depending on the make and model you have. Make sure you’re aware of what your warning lights indicate so you can minimise further damage and stay safe while driving.
If you do need to replace your hybrid car’s battery, the cost can range from around £1,000 to £6,000 in the UK. There are a few factors that will impact the price, including the size of the battery, the technology used within the battery, the age of the car, and the labour costs that come with installing a new battery. Typically, hybrid batteries are less expensive to replace than EV batteries because they are smaller.
It’s not recommended as this can permanently damage the hybrid system within the car and can result in more damage. If your battery is no longer working, get in touch with a mechanic who can help you.
It is worth replacing your hybrid car’s battery, especially if your car was working perfectly beforehand and is still in good condition. A new battery will cost significantly less than replacing the car. Most hybrid and electric car drivers will never need to replace their car’s battery— they typically last around 150,000 miles or 15 years, whichever comes first. Most manufacturers offer a warranty on the battery for peace of mind.
BYD manufactures world-leading Super DM Technology for a hybrid driving experience unlike any other. With an advanced electric hybrid system, an ultra-efficient Xiaoyun hybrid engine and the Bespoke Blade Battery that allows you to charge to 100% every time, BYD’s hybrid cars, including the Seal U DM-i, combine the best technology on the market for a comfortable, eco-friendly driving experience.
