Do Hybrid Cars Last Longer Than Petrol Or Diesel Cars?

Ever since the Toyota Prius hit the showrooms in 2000, the market has seen an impressive shift towards more eco-friendly vehicles. Hybrid cars boast of selling points like greater fuel efficiency, technologically advanced features, and a greener impact on the planet. But when it comes to practical use, do hybrid cars last longer than petrol or diesel cars?

A reduced lifespan can impact your long-term budget in the form of repairs or even replacements. Additionally, you may be forced to deal with a non-function or less-functional car when you need it most.

In light of that, when considering a hybrid car, it's important to know how its lifespan and traveling distances compare to standard cars. Let's explore how long a hybrid car will last, and what factors can impact this:

How Long Can Hybrid Cars Travel Without Charging?

There is no fixed amount of time or distance that every hybrid car is designed to last without a charge. Instead, the answer will depend on:

• The type of hybrid car
• Its make, model, and year
• How well maintained the car is, and how often it's serviced
• The amount of use it sees in a year
• How adverse the road and weather conditions are throughout its drive

For example, an older hybrid car that is kept in extremely hot or cold weather and rarely visits the mechanic will have a shorter battery life than a newer car that is regularly serviced and experiences mild temperatures. Likewise, a hybrid car that drives long distances may experience less strain on its battery than one primarily used in cities to stop and go constantly.

Even still, let's explore the average lifespan of a hybrid car's battery, according to specific factors:

Full Or 'Parallel' Hybrids

Some vehicles, like the Prius, are entirely self-charging. In these models, a combustion engine is twinned with an electric motor to provide power and drive the vehicle.

These cars don't need to be plugged into mains; rather, the battery charges while they drive. When the battery is running low, the petrol/diesel engine powers it up again. In this instance, the car has no need to stop and charge itself up.

So long as it has a fuel storage and all its components are functioning, this hybrid can go without an external charge indefinitely.

Plug-In Hybrids

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (or PHEVs) need to be plugged into the mains to be charged up. As a consequence of relying on an external power source, PHEVs have to be charged up overnight before long journeys, or stop and charge en route.

On average, the battery of a plug-in hybrid can last for about 300 miles when fully charged. However, some high-end models like Teslas can cover up to 350 miles without charge.

How Long Do Hybrid Car Batteries Last Themselves?

Like all cars, a hybrid vehicle will need its battery replaced at some point. A design has not yet been invented that is immune to general wear and tear.

Leading hybrid car manufacturers like Honda and Toyota state that hybrid batteries last between 80,000 to 100,000 miles. With regular maintenance and servicing, however, certain hybrid owners claim their batteries have lasted up to 200,000 miles.

As with any vehicle, though, the battery lifespan largely depends on how you drive with it. Frequent town-driving with repeated starts and stops causes more cycles in a shorter period of time, so the battery will wear out quicker. The fewer cycles per commute, the longer your battery will last.

Age and mileage also impact hybrid battery health, just like a normal car battery. In some cases, you might need a battery replacement in as little as 5 years. Without long road trips and excessive mileage, however, your battery could last up to 11 years.

What Is The Lifespan Of A Hybrid Car?

As for hybrid vehicles themselves, it's too early to tell what the maximum lifespan is. The vogue for hybridity is still a new phenomenon, so very few or none have reached "retirement" age.

When compared to regular vehicles with internal combustion engines, it is predicted that hybrids will last longer. These cars have both regenerative batteries and a fuel engine, so both are used proportionally less — meaning both are likely to last longer.

As an estimate, hybrid owners can expect to drive their car for anywhere between 10-20 years if suitable maintenance is carried out. For more information about hybrid and electric vehicles, get in touch with the experts at your local Autofusion today.