When you find yourself on the side of the road with a car that won’t start, you’re always a heavy sigh or two away from kicking something or bursting into tears. But at least with conventional vehicles, the fix is pretty simple, get a jump and deal with the battery issue later, or if you run out of gas, get more as soon as possible, by any means necessary.
An estimated 2,180,000 hybrid vehicles were sold in the United States during 2012. With the influx of hybrid cars into the automotive industry, what do we do now? Sure, Hybrid vehicles are an estimated 20-35% more fuel efficient than the traditional gas powered vehicles, but what happens when that battery runs out? Is field repair even an option? Don’t get us wrong, owning a hybrid is certainly the hipper, greener option, seeing as they have great fuel economy reduce the release of harmful emissions by 25% to 35% on average, but what happens when you need to replace the part of the car that does so much good?
Part of what battery hybrid car owners love about their cars is the reliability and dependability that comes from being so energy efficient. But just because hybrids don’t need as much consistent care doesn’t mean they don’t need attention every now and again. Batteries in hybrid cars do not typically outlast the car itself, so, nearly all hybrid car owners will be in the market to repair or replace their battery pack at some point, usually within six to ten years after the car’s original purchase.
The cost of batteries for hybrid cars can be anywhere from $3,000 to $4,000 dollars to purchase in the United States on average. And unfortunately, the cost of replacing hybrid battery through a dealer can be prohibitively expensive. It’s important to take pre-emptive steps to find the most convenient, cost-effective option so if you are ever on the side of the road with a dead hybrid battery, your stress level won’t be through the roof and the only heavy sigh you’ll be releasing is one of relief.
Batteries aren’t the only concern for drivers, either. What car has the highest mpg when it comes to hybrids? That honestly depends on how you plan on driving your car, since some cars get better mileage in the city, while others fare better on the highway. In general, though, the Toyota Prius and the Honda Accord Hybrid are two of the best performing cars when it comes to what car has the highest mpg — both boast an average of 45-50 miles per every gallon.
