Hybrid Batteries…..How to increase their lifecycle

The batteries in hybrid cars are truly amazing pieces of engineering. Hybrid vehicles are about 20-35% more fuel efficient than standard vehicles.

Unfortunately, hybrid car batteries don’t last forever just like the batteries in your smart phone and your laptop.

Most hybrid vehicles will either need to get a new battery or get repaired within 6 to 10 years of their original purchase. Worst of all, hybrid battery replacement can cost from RM8,000 on average.

Luckily, the owners of hybrid vehicles can take certain steps to extend the lifespan of their batteries. Here are a couple tips that can help.

1. One of the best ways to extend the lifespan of hybrid vehicles’ batteries is to coast to a stop instead of coming to hard stop. Coasting generates kinetic energy that charges and consequentially extends the battery’s life, so coast to stops as much as is possible. You can also coast when going down a hill.
2. Instead of putting the pedal to the metal after coming to a complete stop, it’s much better to slowly accelerate. You see, hybrid vehicles shut down their petrol engines when they stop at a traffic light or junction. Lightly pressing on the accelerator will keep it in all-electric mode. This both helps to cycle the batteries, and also increases hybrid vehicles’ fuel economy. Though this takes a little bit of getting used to, it’s a must-do for any driver who wants to save at the petrol station and save their battery’s life.
3. Hybrid vehicles ventilate and cool the battery pack with air drawn in from the passenger compartment. Have the Hybrid Battery Pack Cooling System inspected or cleaned annually.

Hybrid vehicles are amazing pieces of technology and owners wind up saving big over the course of their vehicles’ lives in fuel prices. The only trouble is that these cars’ batteries wear out long before the actual vehicle does. Thankfully, learning to come to a slow stop, and to slowly accelerate will help extend these the lifespan of these vehicles’ batteries.

With modern plug-in vehicles, like the Volvo XC60 you can simply plug them in anytime and drive it any way that you see fit and you should still have batteries that perform well in 8 to 10 years. The manufacturers already build in precautions so you cannot overcharge, over-discharge, or over heat. These are the biggest impacts to lifespan. Still, the tips can help get you a few more cycles out of your battery pack and show you how to enjoy your EV while maximizing battery lifespan.