Maintaining a hybrid car costs less than maintaining a thermal car. However, that doesn’t mean you can fire your mechanic. We will explain the elements to check and their associated prices.
Regular maintenance is crucial for the longevity of a vehicle, including hybrid cars. The good news is that hybrid car maintenance tends to be cheaper than equivalent thermal models, making it a selling point for hybrid cars.
Hybrid cars combine a thermal engine with an electric motor, so maintenance needs to consider both power sources, whether it’s a simple hybrid system or a rechargeable one. It’s essential to have a qualified professional handle the maintenance and repairs of hybrid cars, including the mandatory biennial technical inspection, which has 11 additional points of control for hybrid cars compared to thermal vehicles.
Maintenance of the electric components in a hybrid car is relatively simple, as the electric motor requires minimal maintenance, and the traction battery mainly needs to be checked for health and proper functioning to prevent overheating. Maintaining the battery’s health is crucial, as signs of battery fatigue can include warning lights, increased fuel consumption, reduced capacity, or low starting power.
To extend the battery’s lifespan, it’s essential to adopt eco-responsible driving habits, avoid extreme temperatures, and refrain from using fast charging stations for rechargeable hybrid cars equipped for direct current charging. Otherwise, the cost of repairing or replacing the battery can be significant, ranging from €3,000 for the component alone to €1,500 for installation.
Modern hybrid vehicles are equipped with electronic components that require periodic diagnostic checks and software updates, but no major interventions are usually needed.
Maintaining the mechanical components and equipment of a hybrid car is similar to maintaining a thermal car, with the advantage that the electric motor reduces wear on certain parts, such as brakes, combustion engine, and tires.
The frequency of hybrid car maintenance depends on the thermal engine, with recommendations for annual check-ups varying between 15,000 km for gasoline and 20,000 km for diesel cars. The maintenance schedule may be slightly different for plug-in hybrids, considering the reduced usage of the thermal engine.
The cost of maintaining a hybrid car is comparable to a thermal car, with regular checks costing around €150 to €450, depending on the type of service and model. However, the reduced wear on some parts can result in a 40% lower maintenance cost compared to thermal vehicles. It’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s specific maintenance recommendations in the provided maintenance booklet to avoid losing the warranty or incurring higher repair costs.
In conclusion, while maintaining a hybrid car may have lower costs than a thermal car, factors such as battery replacement and overall total cost of ownership should be considered to ensure the long-term financial viability of owning a hybrid vehicle. Additionally, exploring second-hand hybrid car options, promotions, and financing opportunities can further optimize the investment in a hybrid vehicle.