Hybrid Myths

Most new technologies create unfounded fear among the uninformed, while even the well educated overlook truly serious issues. It's no different for hybrid vehicles. Some inappropriately worry that wrecked hybrids may electrocute passengers and rescue workers. Others unnecessarily fear that hybrids' batteries will need to be replaced as often as those in a smoke detector. While most hybrid owners are smug about their vehicles' environmental friendliness, few are concerned with the real possibility that hybrid batteries may wind up in landfills.

Myth: Hybrids are Dangerous After an Accident
A common unfounded fear about hybrids is that they will endanger accident victims and rescue workers. The Associated Press even ran a poorly researched, inaccurate article describing danger that doesn't exist. While the original erroneous article can still be found on the Internet, AP's later retraction requires more digging. The truth is that there are no reports of an accident victim, first-responder or service technician being injured by a hybrid's high-voltage battery. Hybrids are no more—and no less—hazardous than are conventional cars. Proper training and the discipline to correctly follow safety procedures are required for both.


The metal cases that surround batteries in hybrids are designed to survive almost all impacts. In addition, many hybrid batteries are placed in the most crash-resistant location on the vehicle: Forward of (or above) the rear axle. If a collision is severe enough to set off the airbags, the hybrid's high-voltage system is instantly switched off and contained inside the metal battery case. A rapid-deceleration sensor acts as a backup. In less serious situations, rescuers can disable the high-voltage system by turning off the ignition, removing the ignition key or moving the keyless electronic fob at least 16 feet away from the vehicle, all of which are standard procedures for conventional cars. Also, for all vehicles, first-responders are trained to disconnect negative terminal of the 12-volt battery or cut the negative cable if they're unable to switch off the ignition. These actions kill the engine and disable airbags and seatbelt pretensioners. With hybrids it also prevents current from flowing from the high-voltage battery.


"Hybrid car fires present no more of a risk than conventional cars," says Todd Hoffman, founder of Scene of the Accident emergency personnel training group. "There is no potential for electric shock if the (hybrid) vehicle is partially or fully submersed in water."

Myth: Hybrid Battery Life and Replacement is a Problem
Battery life should be of small concern to hybrid owners. By law, hybrid batteries are warrantied for 10 years or 150,000 miles in states that follow California regulations and for eight years or 100,000 miles in the rest of the country. If the battery fails under warranty, the carmaker must replace it with a brand-new battery. The automakers say their batteries are "designed to last the life of the vehicle" and initial reports indicate they're succeeding: Toyota Prius employed as taxis in Canada have racked up more than 200,000 miles.


After the warranty expires, the owner may be able to install a reconditioned battery pack for about one-fourth of the roughly $5,000 price of a new pack. Toyota is developing a plan to "recondition" battery packs. Reconditioning is not as easy as it sounds: Hybrid batteries are composed of more than two-dozen individual modules. Simply slapping in a new module will cause the entire pack to quickly fail. The replacement module must be harvested from a vehicle of about the same age and mileage. Such reconditioned battery packs should last about a half-dozen years. At that point, the vehicle would be at least 14 to 16 years old and ready for retirement.