Prius Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my hybrid battery last?

Most Toyota Prius hybrid batteries will last between 8-10 years and/or 100,000-150,000 miles. Contrary to popular belief, the more miles a Prius is driven, the greater lifespan the battery will have. If the hybrid batteries are not cycled (driven) regularly then we begin to see them break down. We recommend that Prius’ should be driven at least every day or two to avoid these issues. We have seen customers that do a lot of driving like Uber, Lyft or Taxi cab drivers that get over 200,000 miles out of their original hybrid batteries.

Why is my Toyota Prius 12V battery so expensive?

The Toyota Prius requires an AGM or Absorbed Glass Mat 12V battery. Since the Prius is a hybrid vehicle, it does not require the same amount of power from the 12V battery to start the vehicle like a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle. These vehicles do not have starters. The hybrid battery cranks the engine with the help of the transmission and an electric motor. The 12V battery is just in the vehicle to keep memory in the system and turn on the high voltage relay until the hybrid battery takes over. This is an advantage because the AGM 12V battery will wear better over time and last longer than a traditional 12V battery. Since this is a specialty battery, there are few aftermarket options, which results in a much higher price than your average 12V battery. We have many Prius batteries in stock at TLS Motorworks. Give us a call if you think your battery needs replacing!

How long will my Toyota Prius last?

Toyota Prius’ have modest maintenance costs. It is especially important to follow Toyota’s recommended mileage-based maintenance intervals at 30,000, 60,000 and 120,000 miles. The two most failed parts are the brake actuators (also known as brake accumulators or brake boosters) and hybrid batteries. These items generally fail between the 8-10 years and/or 100,000-150,000 miles. Like many cars, it is safe to say that both of these items will need to be replaced at some point. If the Prius has been well maintained, it should last between 200,000-300,000 miles.