For some reason, there are still a number of myths out there surrounding hybrid cars and their batteries. Hybrids have been on the market for some 15 years now, but people are still wary of buying them and some owners still have the same unfounded anxieties as they used to when the cars first came out. The thing is, most of these myths aren’t true (of course). Here are a few of the most common beliefs about hybrid vehicles that get it dead wrong.
1. The Battery is Going to Fail at the Worst Possible Moment
This is a pretty common anxiety that a lot of hybrid owners have. They seem to have the fear that the hybrid battery can fail at any given moment and the car will be completely unusable. In reality, hybrid batteries do fail but it’s not like the car is going to completely shut off with no hopes of ever functioning again until a new battery is put in. Hybrid battery replacement is sometimes a necessity — just like any other part on a car. If it happens, it’s not the end of the world.
2. All Hybrids Have to Be Plugged In
Another common myth about hybrid cars is that they all need to be plugged in. Again, this is not the case. Sure, some hybrid models do need to be plugged in but the reality is that there are actually a few different types of hybrid cars. Some of the most common, though, use a process called regenerative braking, which means that the batteries in hybrid cars get energy put back into them when the driver applies the brakes.
3. Hybrid Battery Replacement Will Empty Your Wallet
One of the biggest anxieties and myths surrounding batteries in hybrid cars is that replacement is absurdly expensive. This isn’t really true either. Sure, it’s a little pricey — between $3,000 and $4,000 in the U.S. — but the great fuel economy helps make up for the cost. Furthermore, there are a few different options for hybrid battery repair and replacement which means hybrid owners can shop around (reconditioning, remanufacturing, third party suppliers).
Did you believe any of these myths about hybrid car batteries? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.