Likely a dumb Hybrid vehicle question

January 27, 2022, 11:29 AM

Black92LX

Never had a desire for a hybrid so never really done much research on how they actually work.
But looks like the wife’s next vehicle will not be available in a non-hybrid.
We almost always buy used so the life expectancy of the hybrid battery pack is a concern and the cost to replace them.

So if the hybrid battery pack goes bad can you just say screw it go about your business and just have the vehicle operate solely on the ICE?

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January 27, 2022, 12:03 PM

HRK

Well if the car will run on the gas engine when the hybrid pack is discharged I'd imagine it will run with it bad, you might get all kinds of faults on the computer. One would hope the ICE would function at least enough to limp mode you off the road..

January 27, 2022, 12:06 PM

Johnny 3eagles

You most likely won't have it long enough to kill the batteries

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January 27, 2022, 12:11 PM

stickman428

Are some hybrids completely electrically driven? I recall a BMW that had an ice engine used as a generator but I am not 100% sure it had any direct connection to the drive train.

I was REALLY bummed out by Toyota offering only hybrid Sienna vans going my forward until I drove my aunts new Sienna. The acceleration was pretty darn shocking in a good way.

I do wonder about some manufacturers and the quality of the batteries they use. I’ll be quite interested in the responses.

January 27, 2022, 12:13 PM

There is only electric motors to turn the wheels so no battery output equals dead in the water.

January 27, 2022, 12:14 PM

SBrooks

It will probably work, but get fairly poor MPG. You'd be carrying around 100s of pounds of dead weight once the batteries are not charging.
Batteries AND some heavy electric motor(s).

January 27, 2022, 12:24 PM

dbgeek

Many of the battery packs are modular, so if you are handy, you can identify (through software) and replace individual cell in the pack.

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January 27, 2022, 12:26 PM

Pizza Bob

You might find this relevant...

https://jalopnik.com/watch-a-f...-dynamite-1848261076

Adios,

Pizza Bob

January 27, 2022, 12:36 PM

Orguss

I know of a guy who replaced his Prius batteries himself after buying them from Toyota. I'm sure battery replacement is thousands of dollars, but they are replaceable.

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January 27, 2022, 12:38 PM

SIGnified

quote:
Originally posted by Orguss:
I know of a guy who replaced his Prius batteries himself after buying them from Toyota. I'm sure battery replacement is thousands of dollars, but they are replaceable.

How do you dispose of the old ones?

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January 27, 2022, 12:40 PM

snidera

quote:
Originally posted by 41:
There is only electric motors to turn the wheels so no battery output equals dead in the water.

Not on most hybrids. There's a piston-powered engine connected to a fairly standard transmission. It just has an electric motor that can apply power in parallel.

Depending on how the battery dies, the vehicle should still run/drive. I think there are some faults that will likely send some models into limp mode, but it will vary greatly by MFG & model. There's no real standard.

January 27, 2022, 12:41 PM

stickman428

Orguss, do you know a ballpark amount that the batteries cost if you buy them from Toyota?

How much do you think he saved doing the install himself?

I am genuinely curious. I’ve kicked around the idea of buying a Nissan Leaf because it would work for the majority of my driving but the battery life and replacement cost of a used Leaf is a concern I have.

I love the idea of putting solar panels and a battery bank on my workshop and when it comes to around town driving I REALLY like the idea of never paying for gas again.

January 27, 2022, 12:48 PM

Black92LX

quote:
Originally posted by stickman428:
Are some hybrids completely electrically driven? I recall a BMW that had an ice engine used as a generator but I am not 100% sure it had any direct connection to the drive train.

I was REALLY bummed out by Toyota offering only hybrid Sienna vans going my forward until I drove my aunts new Sienna. The acceleration was pretty darn shocking in a good way.

I do wonder about some manufacturers and the quality of the batteries they use. I’ll be quite interested in the responses.

The just announced the new Sequoia and they are doing the same. Hybrid only. Hence the reason I am asking as word is there will finally be a long wheel base option after the initial release.

January 27, 2022, 12:48 PM

95flhr

quote:
Originally posted by SIGnified:
quote:
Originally posted by Orguss:
I know of a guy who replaced his Prius batteries himself after buying them from Toyota. I'm sure battery replacement is thousands of dollars, but they are replaceable.

How do you dispose of the old ones?

Not sure about the newer cars, but about 10 years ago if you opened a battery pack, it was full of D-Cell Ni-cad batteries.

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January 27, 2022, 12:58 PM

slabsides45

quote:

How do you dispose of the old ones?

Black plastic bags and annoying neighbor's trash can?

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January 27, 2022, 01:05 PM

Perception

Every manufacturer uses different batteries, battery management systems, and drivetrains. Many of them would likely continue with decreased performance, but the way electronics are integrated these days even that might not be possible. Kind of like how your old printer wouldn't let you print black and white because you ran out of magenta. I would look for vehicle specific information instead rather than general hybrid information because they are all so different.

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January 27, 2022, 01:58 PM

cobre sig

With Toyota the hybrids sold after 2020 have a 10 year battery replacement and 8 year hybrid electronics warranty. My old prius battery died one week before the warranty expired, got a brand new battery so they will honor it. When my battery went out I could still drive the car, but the dash was lit up like a Christmas tree.

January 27, 2022, 02:04 PM

HRK

I would imagine there has to be a failsafe, having them stop completely in the middle of the road with no ability to move to the side would be a major hazard.

January 27, 2022, 02:06 PM

RogueJSK

quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
I would imagine there has to be a failsafe, having them stop completely in the middle of the road with no ability to move to the side would be a major hazard.

Like an ICE car with an an empty gas tank?

Or an overheated or blown engine, or a broken driveshaft, or a grenaded transmission, or , or any other type of malfunction that would render the combustion engine no longer able to propel the car?

Non-hybrid cars don't have to have failsafes...

January 27, 2022, 04:25 PM

Black92LX

quote:
Originally posted by cobre sig:
With Toyota the hybrids sold after 2020 have a 10 year battery replacement and 8 year hybrid electronics warranty. My old prius battery died one week before the warranty expired, got a brand new battery so they will honor it. When my battery went out I could still drive the car, but the dash was lit up like a Christmas tree.

Did not realize the warranty was that long on the hybrid components. Is there a mileage limit or just time?