Toyota was the first company that came out with a hybrid vehicle — Toyota Prius — in 1997. Since then, Toyota has improved its hybrid technology and expanded its hybrid lineup to Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Sienna, Corolla, and other models.
Hybrid gets excellent gas mileage. No other vehicle is as economical as Hybrids.
Hybrid batteries are also known as Traction Battery or High Voltage (HV) Battery.
Toyota Hybrid Battery Types
Toyota uses two types of Hybrid batteries. It’s either a Lithium-ion battery or a Nickel-metal hydride battery. Depending on models and trims, the battery chemistry varies. The following tables show the battery chemistry, voltages, and the battery (traction battery) cells count of the most common models.
[Table] Prius Hybrid Battery
| 2WD Models | AWD Models | |
| Type | Lithium-ion Battery | Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery |
| Voltage | 3.7 V/cell | 7.2 V/module |
| Quantity | 56 cells | 28 modules |
| Capacity | 4.0 Ah | 6.5 Ah |
| Nominal Voltage | 207.2 V | 201.6 V |
| In kWh |
[Table] Every Highlander comes with a Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery.
| Type | Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery |
| Voltage | 7.2 V/module |
| Quantity | 40 modules |
| Capacity | 6.5 Ah |
| Nominal Voltage | 288 V |
[Table] Corolla Hybrid Battery
| Type | Lithium-ion Battery | Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery |
| Voltage | 3.7 V/cell | 7.2 V/module |
| Quantity | 56 cells | 28 modules |
| Capacity | 4.0 Ah | 6.5 Ah |
| Nominal Voltage | 207.2 V | 201.6 V |
[Table] Camry Hybrid Battery
| AXVH70 Model | AXVH71 Model | |
| Type | Lithium-ion Battery | Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery |
| Voltage | 3.7 V/cell | 7.2 V/module |
| Quantity | 70 cells | 34 modules |
| Capacity | 4.0 Ah | 6.5 Ah |
| Nominal Voltage | 259 V | 244.8 V |
[Table] RAV4 Hybrid Battery
| AXAH54L Model | AXAL54L | |
| Type | Lithium-ion Battery | Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery |
| Voltage | 3.6 V/cell | 7.2 V/module |
| Quantity | 70 cells | 34 module |
| Capacity | 3.7 Ah | 6.5 Ah |
| Nominal Voltage | 252 V | 244.8 V |
Toyota Hybrid Warranty:
Every Toyota Hybrid battery comes with a 10 Year 150,000 miles warranty. Moreover, the electric hybrid system has an 8 Year 100,000 miles warranty. Therefore, as an owner, one doesn’t need to worry about the Hybrid battery’s life cycle, status, or health. Everything is under warranty, and Toyota will service this battery if anything goes wrong free of cost for 10 Years.
A YouTube channel named “TheCarCareNut” has excellent resources on Toyota Hybrids. The channel owner is a Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician, working in a Toyota dealer for more than 15 years. We highly recommend watching the videos on this channel if you have some reservations regarding buying a Hybrid.
Battery Longevity
From various user reports, it is found that the Toyota Hybrid battery can last more than 13-15 years with minimal maintenance.
Replacement Cost
Toyota Hybrids use a small High Voltage battery compared to pure electric cars. Thus the replacement cost is reasonable. The Toyota Hybrids battery cost varies depending on model and model year. However, the HV battery price ranges between $3,365 to $3,600.
The total replacement cost with labor isn’t as high as Teslas. Toyota places the Hybrid battery under the passenger seat, and replacing the battery takes less than an hour. Even a DIY owner can replace this HV battery with proper cautions.
However, as previously mentioned, every Toyota Hybrid battery has a 10-year factory warranty. Thus, if an owner purchases a vehicle in 2022; until 2032, there’s nothing to worry about. All replacement costs with labor are covered under warranty.
Hybrid Battery Fan Filter
During a charge-discharge cycle, every battery becomes hot. Thus cooling is essential.
Unlike pure EVs, where the HV battery runs everything and thus becomes very hot, the Toyota Hybrid vehicle’s HV battery doesn’t become too hot. It’s because the engine carries the majority of the loads.
Pure EVs battery is generally liquid-cooled. But for the Toyota Hybrid battery, air cooling is enough.
Toyota typically places the hybrid battery under the rear passenger seat. The battery is under the front seats on some vehicles, such as Sienna.
A fan and a fan filter in the hybrid battery housing air cool the battery. Over time this fan filter collects dust, pets’ hair, and other debris and clogs airflow. If it’s not regularly cleaned, the battery might overheat due to a lack of cooling.
The Hybrid battery fan filter is reusable. Thus once in a while, just opening the filter cover and vacuuming the filter will keep the hybrid battery in good health for a long time.
However, if you need a new fan filter, typically, a genuine filter costs $15 on the https://parts.toyota.com/.
No Recharge Required
An EV needs recharging at home or at a charging station. However, Hybrid vehicles aren’t pure EVs. These cars have a gasoline engine. The vehicle uses the engine power to generate electricity and recharge the onboard hybrid battery during driving. So, an owner doesn’t have to worry about recharging the vehicle.
Toyota Hybrid Battery Maintenance
Toyota Hybrid batteries are virtually maintenance-free. Apart from the Hybrid fan filter cleaning, there’s no maintenance required for the HV battery in its lifetime.
Toyota Hybrids are Reliable
Toyota Hybrid vehicle’s transmission and engines last a long time.
Every Toyota hybrid uses eCVT transmission. However, it’s an entirely different transmission than CVT. Unlike the CVT, eCVT doesn’t have belts, cones, drums, or other complicated mechanisms. Instead, eCVT is based on an innovative planetary gear mechanism. Thus, these transmissions last a long time.
Moreover, there is no alternator, V-belt, or starter motor. Thus, fewer engine parts and more reliability.
Signs of Hybrid Battery Failing
Toyota Hybrid battery doesn’t die overnight. It may degrade over several years but still be operable. Toyota Hybrids are very advanced vehicles. It will diagnose and show warning lights on the dash before the HV battery fails. Thus, a driver can take preventive measures.
One potential sign that the traction battery is about to fail is the engine is running more than it should be. If the gas mileage drops significantly, the HV battery is probably dying.
If the Hybrid battery is dead, the car will fail to reach a speed beyond 10-15 miles per hour. If the HV battery fails during driving, the vehicle will lose power and gradually lose speed. However, the car will NOT lose control or become inoperable.
Hybrid Battery Downside
Not everything is rosy about the hybrid vehicle. There’s one downside that many aren’t aware of.
A vehicle owner can park their gasoline car for a long time, for example, 5 to 6 months. However, Toyota Hybrids can’t be kept in storage for this extended time.
Typically every battery loses its charge slowly. For example, a Tesla loses 2-3% on average daily. Similarly, the Hybrid battery also loses its charge gradually. Thus, if a Toyota Hybrid is stored for a prolonged time, such as 3 to 4 months, the battery will deplete to 0%. If it happens, you have to jump-start the car, or you may need to tow the vehicle to a Toyota dealer. Therefore, if you plan to park your Toyota Hybrid at an airport, keep this scenario in mind.
Bottom Line
Everything has benefits and drawbacks. Even though Hybrid vehicles have some cons, the benefits outweigh their disadvantages.
If you need to change the Hybrid battery for any reason, we highly recommend that you replace your old battery with a genuine new Hybrid battery.