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Which hybrids don't suffer from battery issues?

We currently own a Toyota Yaris Cross bought new in March 2023. Over this time we have had to call the AA several times to charge the small 12v battery as it has gone flat, the last time being after we recently returned from a 2 week holiday abroad.

We have now lost confidence in the car and are of a mind to change it to something similar however, the AA mechanic who last resolved the problem said that he attends hybrid cars all the time as they all have the same battery issue. We would like to get another hybrid but need reliability.

Can you recommend an alternative that is not prone to this problem?

Asked on 6 November 2024 by Graham Cowperthwaite

Answered by David Ross
Unfortunately a number of hybrid owners have experienced similar problems to you, and it appears that it tends to be how the vehicle is used that is causing the battery to go flat. Frequent short journeys can mean the 12V battery has insufficient time to recharge, and leaving the car parked for a period of time can cause the battery to drain. Some owners have reduced the likelihood of this issue by taking longer drives more regularly, using a trickle charger or fitting a larger capacity 12V battery. Some owners have also found that storing the keys further away from the vehicle when parked at home has helped the issue, as it prevents the car from 'searching' for the keys which can also drain the battery.

There are no guarantees that a different hybrid will not experience the same issues, as it is the use of the vehicle that plays the biggest part in battery issues.
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