Hybridโ Cars: The โImpact of Infrequent use on Battery Life
Hybrid vehicles, combining petrolโ adnโฃ electric power, are often touted asโ an environmentallyโฃ friendly option. However, a growing number of owners are experiencing unexpectedly short โlifespans โforโข their 12-volt batteriesโข – the battery powering the car’s onboard electronics, not used for starting a combustion engine. this issue is particularly prevalent for those whoโฃ drive infrequently orโ makeโข primarily short trips.
One owner of a 2019 Toyota Corolla Hybrid reported needingโ to replaceโฃ the 12-voltโ battery twice already,a stark contrast toโ the five to ten-year โlifespan heโ experienced with previous petrol-powered vehicles. While Toyota recommends increased drivingโ as a solution, the underlying issue appears to be a design characteristic of hybrid systems.
According to Toyota,hybrid 12-volt batteries are intentionally smaller โthan those found in conventional cars. This reductionโค in size contributes toโค weight savings and improved efficiency.However,โข it also makes them more vulnerable to discharge from limited โขuse and โcold weather.
The manufacturer maintains this isn’t a case of planned obsolescence, stating โคthat mostโฃ drivers won’tโ encounterโ problems. But forโฃ those driving less than 3,000 kilometers perโ year, or who frequently leave their vehicle unused โfor extended periods, prematureโค battery wear and potential starting issuesโ areโค a real concern.
Nicolas Leuba, president of the Vaudish Union of garagistes, confirms this isn’t isolated to Toyota. โ”I questioned several garage owners.We have noticed this problem in several brands,” he stated onโ a recent radio program. While the smaller battery size explains someโฃ of the vulnerability, Leuba believes it doesn’t fully account for the observed lack of โreliability.
Experts โขemphasize โฃthat choosingโฃ the right vehicle for your driving habits is crucial. Leuba โขstresses that different engine types require different usage patterns. For hybrid vehicles, he suggests a revised sales pitch:โข “If you drive your vehicle regularly, it โขis the ideal vehicle for you. If, conversely, you live in the mountains, far from the city and you rarely use your โฃvehicle, a hybrid is โคnot panacea, even an ecological misinterpretation.”
This raises โขquestions about โฃthe โคoverall environmental impact of hybrid technology when factoring in the โincreased frequency of battery replacements, particularlyโข for drivers whoseโ lifestyles don’t align with the vehicle’s optimal usage profile.
(Sources: Radio subject: Christophe โUngar;โ Adaptation Web: myriam Semani)
