can a hybrid car still be used when the battery pack runs out?

robert zaldivar · 19 Jul 2010, 02:48 pm

nova73guy · 19 Jul 2010, 02:51 pm

The whole idea of a hybrid is that it has a generator, usually run by a gasoline or diesel engine, that charges the batteries as you drive. Therefore the batteries should never discharge completely. However, if they do discharge the engine/generator should be capable of running the car. The car may have a built-in safety feature that prevents it from being driven if the battery pack won't accept a charge, but you'll have to contact the manufacturer to see what they recommend in the case of totally drained batteries.

Jeff S · 19 Jul 2010, 02:55 pm

Yes, the way a hybrid works is that under a certain mph it's on battery only power unless it needs more power, but once the battery is depleted regardless of speed it will run on gasoline power only.

There have even been instances of Prius's having to be towed home because they ran out of gas.lol

So you definitely don't need only batteries.lol

wondering · 19 Jul 2010, 02:58 pm

Since you asked this in the Toyota section: Toyota hybrids cannot be driven on the engine only if the HV battery is fully discharged because they don't have 12V starter motors. The engine is cranked only by MG1 so if there is no HV there is no cranking power.

However, Toyota hybrids also go to great lengths to protect the HV battery. During normal use the HV battery is always between 40 and 80 percent charge. If you run out of gas and then repeatedly power off and back on the car the HV battery will eventually be run down by spinning an engine that won't start. At this point the HV isn't really completely dead however the car will refuse to try to start the engine. If you add fuel and then unhook the 12V battery for a few minutes it will reset the HV battery ECU's SOC reading and allow 1 last start attempt.

can a hybrid car still be used when the battery pack runs out?

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