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What is the battery degradation in PHEVs?
I am considering purchasing a new Lexus NX 450+ which I expect to keep for several years.
If I maximise the use of the PHEV battery, it occurs to me that PHEV batteries are likely to be more highly stressed then EV batteries. With a range of ~40 miles it could go from fully charged to empty in less than an hour and be recharged more frequently.
I am assume high disharge rates and number of charging cycles both reduce battery capacity. If dealer serviced, the Lexus has a warranty cover that extends to 10 years but I can not establish the loss of capacity that would result in a free battery replacement or repair.
So far the local dealer has verbally suggested less than 70% capacity would prompt a free repair, but is yet to confirm this in writing, Lexus customer services are providing opaque answers, and the information on the Lexas website is less than helpful.
Clearly, some loss of capacity would be expected but given battery range is the USP of a PHEV it's important to me to understand how significant this could be and the extent of warranty cover.
Are you able to advise if PHEV batteries are typically more vulnerable to capacity loss than EV batteries?
If I maximise the use of the PHEV battery, it occurs to me that PHEV batteries are likely to be more highly stressed then EV batteries. With a range of ~40 miles it could go from fully charged to empty in less than an hour and be recharged more frequently.
I am assume high disharge rates and number of charging cycles both reduce battery capacity. If dealer serviced, the Lexus has a warranty cover that extends to 10 years but I can not establish the loss of capacity that would result in a free battery replacement or repair.
So far the local dealer has verbally suggested less than 70% capacity would prompt a free repair, but is yet to confirm this in writing, Lexus customer services are providing opaque answers, and the information on the Lexas website is less than helpful.
Clearly, some loss of capacity would be expected but given battery range is the USP of a PHEV it's important to me to understand how significant this could be and the extent of warranty cover.
Are you able to advise if PHEV batteries are typically more vulnerable to capacity loss than EV batteries?
Asked on 11 August 2023 by dpr59
Answered by
David Ross
While it is true that a PHEV battery will go through a charge and discharge cycle more frequently than an EV battery, you have more control over the operation of a PHEV battery in terms of drive modes and also how frequently the battery is recharged. It is also worth remembering that PHEV batteries are in operation far less than EV batteries - an EV cannot move without electrical power.
The Lexus websites states 'In addition to the standard 3 year /60,000 mile manufacturer warranty, for NX 450h+ we also offer a 3 year / 60,000 miles (whichever comes first) with no mileage limitation in the first year in case of full battery degradation below 80% of initial capacity.'
The Lexus websites states 'In addition to the standard 3 year /60,000 mile manufacturer warranty, for NX 450h+ we also offer a 3 year / 60,000 miles (whichever comes first) with no mileage limitation in the first year in case of full battery degradation below 80% of initial capacity.'
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