Myth or fact: Hybrid car batteries are damaged quickly?

29 March 2026

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the dangers of self-employment on the battery cell

Hybrid cars generally use nickel-metal hydride (NIMH) or lithium-ion batteries that have self-discharge properties. That is, even if the car is not in use, the power in the battery will decrease slowly over time. If the power level drops below the minimum threshold permitted by the battery management system, the cells in it can be permanently damaged or lose the ability to store the charge optimally.

This damage is often not physically visible, but will be felt when the car is driven again. Owners may realize that fuel efficiency has decreased drastically because the gasoline engine has to work harder to recharge the battery that is already “weak” or even a hybrid system refuses to be active at all.

the importance of current circulation to maintain temperature and chemical

As with human muscles that will be stiff if not driven, the chemical components in the hybrid battery require a regular flow of electric current to maintain its stability. Regular use helps the battery cooling system work and prevent heat buildup or crystallization in cell material. Moving the car at least once a week for 30 minutes is enough to ensure the generator recharges the power lost during the rest period.

In a report compiled by carnewschina.com, several cases show that electrification vehicles that were left totally dead for months require very expensive battery module replacement. This replacement cost is often much higher than the fuel economy obtained during the previous period of use.

Maintenance tips to keep the battery durable when rarely used

Maintaining the health of the hybrid battery is not as difficult as imagined, as long as it is done with the right consistency. The main step that can be taken is to make sure the battery level is in the middle position (about 40-60%) before the car is abandoned for a long time, because storing the battery in a completely full or completely empty condition is at risk of damaging the cell chemical.

In addition, it is highly recommended not to remove the 12V battery cable (AKI) carelessly on a hybrid car, because the vehicle computer system requires power to monitor the health of the main battery (HV Battery). statically heating the engine in the garage is sometimes not enough; The car needs to be run so that the regenerative system works perfectly to charge the battery through the rotation of the wheel.