There are Two Main Types of Hybrid Battery that are used in hybrid vehicles today.
1) Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)
The Nickel-Metal Hydride Hybrid Batteries are cheaper than Lithium-ion Hybrid Batteries. This affects both the original sticker price of the vehicle, as well as the replacement cost, when the Hybrid Battery needs to be replaced. They are durable, and have a long life span of approximately 80,000 to 180,000; or 8 to 10 years, depending on use and/or abuse.
They are prone to heat generation and are usually fan cooled. They are also prone to self-discharge, so it is not good to let them sit unused for long periods of time.
The NiMH is heavier than Lithium-ion, and not as powerful. Both of these factors result in the NiMH not achieving as much MPG savings as a Lithium-ion Hybrid Battery.
NiMH Hybrid Batteries are easier to repair or re-manufacture than Li-ion Hybrid Batteries. A re-manufactured Hybrid Battery can save a consumer thousands of dollars compared to a new one from the dealer, when it is time to replace it.
2) Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
The Lithium-ion Hybrid Batteries charge at about the same rate as the NiMH batteries, but discharge more slowly, thereby giving more sustained power. This will keep the vehicle in EV Mode for longer periods of time, resulting in better MPG savings than the NiMH Hybrid Batteries.
The Li-ion Hybrid Batteries are also lighter weight than NiMH, and more powerful, both of which also contribute to greater MPG savings.
Li-ion Hybrid Batteries have a slightly longer life span than NiMH, which can help offset the fact that they are more expensive than NiMH Hybrid Batteries. Li-ion Hybrid Batteries can last 150,000 to over 200,000 miles; or 10 to 12 years, depending on use and/or abuse.
Li-ion Hybrid Batteries are also prone to heat generation, and need to be cooled, either with a fan or liquid. However they are less prone to self- discharge than NiMH, which means they are more stable when sitting for periods of time. However, it is also not good to let them sit unused for long periods of time.
Most Fully Electric Vehicles use Li-ion because they require more strength and durability than hybrid vehicles do. In addition, All-Electric Vehicle batteries are much larger than Hybrid Batteries; therefore the lighter weight of the Li-ion becomes a big factor.
3) Lead-Acid
Although they are no longer in use by any major car manufacturer, Lead-Acid Hybrid Batteries deserve a mention because they are the oldest type of Hybrid Car Battery. Lead-Acid battery technology can be found in many 12- Volt car batteries. Lead-Acid batteries work fine for the purpose of powering all of the electronics in cars and trucks, but aren’t real practical as a Hybrid Battery because of the battery size that is required to propel a large vehicle. They are not only bulky, but heavy, less efficient, and have only about one half the life span of the NiMH and Li-ion Hybrid Batteries.