Baterías para Toyota Prius

Keep Your Car Running With Batteries for the Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is an electric hybrid manufactured by Toyota since 1997. Electric hybrids run off battery power, so if you want to keep your vehicle running, youll have to make sure that the batteries are in good shape. You can find hybrid batteries for the Prius on eBay.

A hybrid vehicle uses more than one type of power. The Prius, for example, uses a hybrid battery and gas to increase miles per gallon and make the car more fuel-efficient. The science behind these vehicles operates on the theory that different motors work more efficiently at different speeds. Electric motors are good at producing torque, or turning power, while combustion engines are known for their ability to maintain high speeds. Transferring from one type of power to the other at specific times leads to a more efficient use of fuel.

The Prius recharges during normal driving, eliminating the need to plug it in. A charge-sustaining model, the car keeps the power-pack topped using power recovered during braking and coasting or power from the gasoline engine. The vehicles low carbon emissions make it environmentally friendly. This is done by a charging system that lets the battery tap into the gasoline engine while using kinetic energy from the brake system to create electrical power. This is known as regenerative braking.

The batteries can last up to 15 years if not exposed to direct sunlight. Toyota quotes an 8-year life span for Prius batteries but states they could last from five to 10 years or longer. A new pack can be purchased when the original wears out. Length of life depends on the following factors:

• Extreme heat or cold
• Sitting idle while being used for long periods of driving
• Age versus miles driven

What is a plug-in?

In 2012, Toyota introduced a plug-in Prius. The plug-in kept the original setup with gasoline and battery, but it added the capability to charge from a standard 120-volt outlet with a 15-amp circuit. The Prius plug-in needs three hours for a complete charge. The charge provides enough energy to drive up to 15 miles at speeds up to 62 miles per hour. When the charge runs out, the car automatically switches back to the original battery pack.