How Long Does a Toyota Prius Battery Last?
The Toyota Prius is a popular choice for eco-friendly driving, and its battery is estimated to last 100,000 to 150,000 miles meaning the car will likely run for 8 to 10 years (or more) before needing a new battery. As with any other kind of car, the way you drive, your maintenance routine, how you charge the battery and even where you live can all have an effect on its longevity.
How Long Does a Prius Battery Last?
The Prius is easily one of the most popular hybrid vehicles on the market, offering fantastic fuel efficiency for a reasonable cost. Being a hybrid, it not only gets incredible gas mileage, but has both a gasoline engine and an electric motor that are separate from one another and can run on their own. One of the main reasons for choosing a hybrid is that it still has a gasoline engine, negating any range issues you might have with a solely electric one.
Toyota swapped the older nickel-metal-hydride battery for a smaller, lighter lithium-ion battery that puts out 15% more energy for the fifth generation Prii. These batteries are commonly found in hybrid cars because they offer fantastic reliability and performance. The Prius is backed by a great warranty, eight years or 100,000 miles for hybrid parts, and the battery has a 10-year/150,000 mile warranty.
The Prius has maintained stellar reliability ratings even after multiple redesigns, and has remained consistently dependable. Unless your vehicle isn’t in good shape, it’s usually worth replacing the battery versus purchasing a new car. Additionally, if you intend to sell the car then the new battery will be more likely to attract buyers.
What Happens When the Battery Dies on a Prius?
To maximize the life of your hybrid battery pack, it’s important to follow all of the manufacturer's charging guidelines. It’s best not to let your battery fully run down and to fully charge it when it runs low. Regular maintenance is essential for all cars including hybrids. The gas engine and electric motor are somewhat reliant on each other, so if one isn’t working efficiently, it can affect the other.
The battery should be tested when you get your car serviced; if one or more weak battery cells are found, the battery can be reconditioned to prolong its life. There are several telltale signs that your battery might be on its way out: poor fuel economy, rapid battery depletion, the battery not kicking in, odd electrical fluctuations or clunky driving performance.
It’s not recommended that you continue to drive your Prius if the battery dies. The average cost of replacing a Prius hybrid battery is between $2,000-$4,000 according to Toyota, depending on labor and parts needed. Just remember if you replace the battery, you’ll likely be able to continue driving your car for another 100,000 to 150,000 miles.
We proudly use the third generation Prius in our fleet of subscription vehicles. If you’d like to learn more about our SimpleCar subscription service give us a call at 833-767-5327 or contact us.
