Hybrid cars are becoming increasingly popular — nearly 2.2 million hybrid vehicles were sold in the United States in 2012. They have great fuel economy, they release fewer harmful emissions into the environment, and hybrid models have sleeker designs and more advanced features. The one thing that does worry many hybrid owners is the constant worry of having to one day replace the hybrid battery. Hybrid battery replacement is a legitimate concern, since many hybrid batteries do not last for the lifetime of the vehicle, but there are now other reliable alternatives to buying a brand new hybrid battery. Here are two of them.

1. Hybrid Battery Reconditioning
One way for hybrid owners to avoid having to buy a new battery altogether is to get the current battery reconditioned. If the battery has not failed because any of the parts are degraded or damaged, then the battery can be reconditioned. This is a form of hybrid battery repair in which the battery will be discharged and recharged until it is nearly back to its original performance.

2. Remanufactured Hybrid Batteries
Another alternative to buying a brand new battery in the event of hybrid battery failure is to buy remanufactured hybrid batteries. This process involves the deconstruction of the battery, the testing and repairing or replacing of faulty parts, and the rebuilding of the battery.

If it is cost efficient, it might be a good idea to try getting a battery reconditioned before outright buying a new or remanufactured one. If it does come to buying a remanufactured battery, here are a couple of things to know. Remanufactured hybrid batteries don’t always come with a warranty, so be aware of that, though with advancements in battery technology they are much more reliable than they use to be.

Do you have any experience with reconditioned or remanufactured hybrid batteries? Let us know in the comments.