Congratulations! You’ve taken a huge step in leading an eco-friendly lifestyle by purchasing your new car! Did you know that you’ll only be spending about a fifth of what you were on fuel costs now that you have an electric vehicle?
As with any car, hybrid vehicles come with inevitable expenses. Namely, the battery. You may be wondering about battery replacement in your new car, whether it be a Prius, Volt, Camry, or LEAF. In this guide, we’ll look at all you need to know about the cost of replacing the battery pack on hybrid vehicles, covering some of the most popular vehicles.
Let’s get started!
How Often Should I Replace My Hybrid Battery Pack?
If you’re transitioning from a gas-powered vehicle to a hybrid vehicle, you’re in for a maintenance-related treat. The battery in your Prius, Volt, Camry, or LEAF was designed to last for at least 100,000 miles.
Of course, this mileage may vary based on your driving and charging habits. The absolute best way to ensure a long lifespan for your battery is by properly charging and maintaining your vehicle.
If you have questions about how to care for your new hybrid vehicle, speak with a mechanic you trust. Keep in mind, also, that climate conditions like humidity and salt air as well as extremely hot and cold weather can affect your car, both inside and out.
Now that you know your battery will last a while, it’s time to take a look at how much a hybrid battery replacement will cost when the time comes.
Hybrid Battery Replacement Costs for Prius
The first car we’ll explore is the Toyota Prius. This car was first manufactured in 1997 and the model is still going strong today. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Prius owner who doesn’t frequently make mention of their Prius ownership.
According to the EPA, this little Toyota is one of the cleanest-running vehicles on American roads. The car will last a driver with an average commute for as long as 16 years! That’s around 250,000 miles, though, so math would dictate that you may need to replace the battery in this little hybrid at least once.
So how much will that cost? Well, you can get a battery for free! Toyota will replace your battery at no cost if it dies before its 100,000 to 150,000-mile warranty!
That doesn’t happen for everyone, though. Should your battery die out of warranty, you can buy a refurbished one for around $1,500. Want a new hybrid battery? It can run up to $4,000. That doesn’t include labor.
Hybrid Battery Replacement Cost for Volt
The Chevy Volt was in production from 2007 until 2019. Despite it being discontinued, there are still plenty of these zippy little hybrid cars on the road.
The Volt’s battery comes with an eight year/100,000-mile warranty. The warranty expires when the first of these milestones occurs. If you’re out of warranty, though, you may find yourself shopping for a new hybrid car. A new battery for a Chevrolet Prius costs around $9,300, labor included.
Volt owners love their vehicles. If your battery dies and you’re out of warranty, it may be a tough decision for you–spend the money on a new battery or a down payment on a new vehicle?
Hybrid Battery Replacement Cost for Electric Camry
In 2006, Toyota introduced the electric Camry right alongside its more traditional counterpart. The sales of this little car comprise almost 9% of sales of the top 10 best-selling hybrids in the United States.
The warranty on the Camry’s battery is between 100,000 and 150,000 miles or 8 to 10 years, depending upon the car you drive. But if your battery fails and needs to be replaced after the warranty, you’re looking at a hefty bill.
A new battery for the Electric Camry will cost around $2,500, not including labor. Add labor into the price you’ll pay for your hybrid battery, and you may be looking at paying more than your decade-old car is currently worth.
Hybrid Battery Replacement Cost for LEAF
The sweet little Nissan LEAF hit dealership lots in 2010 and has gained a steady following in the decade-plus since. Owners love the warranty on this hybrid vehicle’s battery, as it covers both the battery’s integrity and its capacity.
Nissan will replace your LEAF battery under warranty so long as it’s not yet exceeded 100,000 miles or been longer than eight years. Additionally, if your LEAF’s battery capacity drops below 9 bars (there are 12 total) during this time, your new battery is on the house.
When your warranty expires, a new LEAF battery will probably not be something you consider. Dealerships quote battery replacements for the LEAF at around $15,000. That is literally half the price of a brand-new LEAF.
Conclusion: Replacing Hybrid Batteries
If the battery on your electric vehicle dies, you may be covered under warranty. But if you’re not, hybrid battery replacement costs for Prius, Volt, Camry, and LEAF are quite pricey. You’ll certainly want to weigh your options, as it may be worth it to recycle the car and buy a new one.
