GREEN BEAN GUIDE

Reconditioned Versus New Hybrid Batteries

If you’ve been enjoying the benefits of hybrid vehicle ownership for several years now, it’s probably time to start considering replacing your car’s hybrid battery. Even before your vehicle alerts you to problems via a warning light or apparent problems, your vehicle’s aging battery could be impacting performance, especially if your vehicle shows more than 100,000 miles or you’ve had it for five years or more.

Driving a hybrid comes with a wealth of benefits, but when those benefits start to diminish, it’s a sign that you’ll soon need a battery replacement. When that time comes, it can feel overwhelming, as there are countless options out there for you to choose from. And choosing the wrong one will very quickly feel like money wasted. It might feel difficult to decide which route you should take, but it’ll certainly help if you have a deeper understanding of some of the different types of hybrid batteries on the market. Let our team at Green Bean Battery guide you through the process.

New Hybrid Batteries

It may sound obvious, but brand-new hybrid batteries are going to provide you with the best performance in the long run. Whether you’re getting them from original manufacturers or another hybrid battery company, you’ll find that newly engineered batteries are going to help your car run the smoothest for the longest period of time. 

However, you will be paying a big price tag. The price of a new hybrid battery can range anywhere from $3,000 – $5,000. You will need to consider if your 2008 Toyota Prius is worth at least that price range.

Reconditioned Hybrid Batteries

Reconditioning is a process of diagnostics and methods like grid charging, discharging, balancing, and cycling. It is designed to isolate bad or damaged modules or cells for replacement and often helps the battery revert to a more functional condition. If you drive your hybrid less than 6,000 miles a year or your battery is less than 7 years old, reconditioning may be the best option for you.

A reconditioned hybrid battery can be equally as reliable as a brand-new one but at a more affordable price point. Many hybrid owners prefer to use reconditioned hybrid batteries over new ones because they are much less expensive. And with an average life expectancy of 3 to 5 years, with all things considered, it may be the best fit for your 14-year-old vehicle. The other thing to mention is delivery time. Many hybrid owners who have explored a new hybrid battery have been told it will be weeks before their new hybrid battery arrives. Reconditioned hybrid batteries tend to be readily available. And if you’re smart, you’ll choose a partner that offers free mobile installation. 

If you’ve begun to research your options for replacing your hybrid’s battery, you’ve no doubt already learned the pros and cons of reconditioned hybrid batteries and new ones. But are these batteries truly worth it? We think yes, but you decide for yourself.