I’m thinking of buying a new 2025 Camry and planning to keep it for many years. Eventually, the hybrid battery will fail, maybe in 10 years or so. If that happens, can the car run on gas alone? Thanks!
The battery should last longer than 10 years. It won’t die that soon.
The idea that a hybrid battery will die in under 10 years isn’t really true. You can see plenty of older Toyota hybrids still going strong with the original battery. If someone can get 460,000 km (about 285,000 miles) on a hybrid Rav4, a hybrid battery can last much longer than 10 years.
As for running on gas only, it depends on how the battery fails. It’s like asking if a car engine will run rough at 150,000 km—depends on what exactly breaks.
@Dallas
Just to clarify, UM was counting miles, not kilometers. That Rav had almost 470,000 miles on the original battery.
@Dallas
A couple of things are off here. The batteries don’t just fail because of mileage—they age. And yes, the Rav had almost 500k miles, but it was only a few years old. Hybrid cars can’t run without the battery because of the way the transmission works. If the battery dies and the electric motors stop working, the car won’t move.
If the battery dies under 10 years, it’s still under warranty. The car can run on gas, but the fuel efficiency will drop. Running on just gas is not ideal, though, because it puts more strain on the engine and transmission.
@TacomaTales
If the hybrid battery fails completely, the gas engine can’t even start.
@TacomaTales
The hybrid battery starts the car, so if it’s dead, the car can’t run.
Hazel said:
@TacomaTales
The hybrid battery starts the car, so if it’s dead, the car can’t run.
Actually, that’s not true. The 12v battery starts the car. You should look at the eCVT system to see how it works.
@oliviamartin
I’m still correct. Toyota hybrids don’t have a 12V starter motor like regular gas cars. One of the electric motors (MG1) starts the car, and it’s powered by the hybrid battery. The 12V battery is for accessories and helps trigger the hybrid battery to power up.
@oliviamartin
That’s how a regular gas car works, but hybrids are different.
@oliviamartin
No, the hybrid battery starts the car. It won’t start or run without it. Trust me, I know from experience.
@TacomaTales
Gas cars with more strain: ‘Should’ve had a hybrid battery from the start!’
@TacomaTales
This is wrong. The car won’t work without the hybrid system.
The car won’t run without the hybrid system. The electric motor starts the engine, and everything is connected.
Voss said:
The car won’t run without the hybrid system. The electric motor starts the engine, and everything is connected.
The starter is an electric motor, but not the same motor that moves the car. The 12V battery operates the starter, but the hybrid battery powers the rest.
@TacomaTales
The 12v battery only powers the computer. The traction battery actually starts the car.
@TacomaTales
There’s no 12V starter on a Toyota eCVT system. The traction motor actually turns in reverse (or slows down if moving) and spins the gas engine to start. It’s a smart design that reduces parts and ensures the car starts in cold weather.
@TacomaTales
Both MG1 (which starts and stops the engine) and MG2 (which moves the wheels) are powered by the hybrid battery, not the 12V.
@TacomaTales
The 12V battery powers the electric starter? Must be a big 12V battery! (The hybrid battery starts the engine, not the 12V).