So after having my hybrid battery fail, I am trying to theorise whether my driving habits and actions had an impact/maybe make some improvement suggestions? The hybrid battery I had was a reconditioned replacement, it came with 6 months warranty, lasted 18 months. In terms of my driving habits, I don't do many motorway miles, about 20 miles weekly? All of my driving is city driving start/stop. I've covered a total of about 9,000 miles with that battery. What I actively have been doing though since I've owned the car is intentionally engaging the EV mode not via the EV button. For example once I get up to speed (30mph) then let off the pedal slightly, this engages the EV mode, I cruise on it if possible completely depleting the battery. I don't actively/unnecessarily brake trying to regen though. Is this something others do as well? Is that better for the battery or wears it out more? I averaged 55mpg over 4,000 miles according to the ODO. Another point is my AC hasn't been working properly since I owned the car and the past few weeks with heatwaves by UK standards (35 degree Celsius outdoors), driving the car even with windows down, probably hasn't had a good impact on the battery itself as it wouldn't have had sufficient cooling, even though the fan is dust free and verified it works properly.
VERY few have had success with used batteries. UNLESS you KNOW they were from a wreck car that had a good hybrid battery. People/business's grab worn out packs and pull the betters blocks out and assemble a complete pack. They MAYBE they use the Prolong system, or something similar, and do the charge/discharge cycles and deem it "good" Then pawn them off on unsuspecting people like you. It should be illegal, but it's not. You'll spend more money, and time, trying to keep it going then if you bought a new Sodium Ion battery. You don't drive a lot, so that will effect your 12v battery. You might want to get a 5 amp or less AGM charger/ maintainer to keep a full charge on it. The a/c on a Prius is very touchy. You should find a Toyota Prius specialist and have them look at it.
Yes I have realised that's how people/businesses operate in that regards, that's why they want your old hybrid battery pack in exchange for a slightly lower cost to harvest the "good" cells and sell it on. However nobody sells Sodium-ion battery packs here in the UK, unfortunately still behind. Indeed after I fix the battery will get the AC looked at.
