- A hybrid has two batteries: a high voltage drive battery (100+ V) and an ordinary 12V starter battery.
- Only the 12V starter battery can and may be jump started. Touching the drive battery is dangerous and it is not needed.
- For the 12V starter battery of a hybrid, the same CCA logic applies as for a regular car.
- On models such as the Toyota Prius there is a separate jump start terminal under the bonnet.
You drive a hybrid, the battery is flat, and you wonder whether an ordinary jump starter will do the job. The short answer: yes. The slightly longer answer: you connect to the 12V starter battery, not to the large drive battery. That sounds more technical than it is.
Two batteries in one car
A hybrid always has two batteries. The large drive battery runs on 100 to 400 volts and powers the electric motor. It is charged from a wall socket (plug-in hybrids) or while you drive. Then there is the 12V starter battery: an ordinary smaller battery that feeds your on-board computer, the lights and the starting system of the petrol or diesel engine. That 12V battery can go flat, exactly as in a regular car.
What do you jump start, and what do you leave alone?
You only ever jump start the 12V starter battery. Leave the high voltage drive battery alone: that is dangerous, and an ordinary jump starter can do nothing with it. On most hybrids the 12V battery sits in the boot or under the rear seat. Models such as the Toyota Prius have a jump start terminal under the bonnet, so you do not need to reach the battery itself.
Which models, and where do you connect?
Toyota Prius (all generations): jump start terminal under the bonnet, next to the fuse box. The 12V battery sits in the boot but you do not need to open it.
Toyota RAV4 hybrid and Yaris hybrid: 12V battery in the boot, also reachable through the terminal under the bonnet.
Kia Niro hybrid: 12V battery in the boot under the load floor.
Honda Jazz hybrid: 12V battery under the bonnet, reachable as standard.
Not sure about your model? Check the manual under the chapter on jump starting.
Your own manual is what counts. The connection points above apply to the models and generations named here. Brands and model years differ. Read the jump starting chapter of your own manual before you start, and call your brand dealer if you are in doubt.
How much CCA do you need?
The 12V starter battery of a hybrid is often a little smaller than that of a comparable non-hybrid, because the electric motor helps with starting. A CCA value of 480 to 620 CCA is enough for most compact hybrids. Check your own battery for the exact figure: it is printed next to the marking EN.
- 620 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps, the real starting power on a cold start), enough for a 12V starter battery of 480 to 620 CCA
- Compact enough for the glovebox or the boot
- Smart clamps with protection against reverse polarity, short circuit and sparks
Frequently asked questions
Can I jump start a hybrid car?
Yes. You connect the jump starter to the 12V starter battery or to the terminal provided for it. That works exactly as it does on a regular car. The large drive battery plays no part in jump starting.
Is it dangerous to jump start a hybrid?
Not if you use the right connection points. Always connect to the 12V battery or the designated jump start terminal. Never touch the orange cables or the high voltage drive battery. Check your manual if you are unsure about the location.
Where is the 12V battery on a Toyota Prius?
The 12V battery of the Prius sits in the boot. You do not need to reach it for jump starting: there is a terminal under the bonnet. Check the jump starting chapter of your manual for the exact location.
How do I find the CCA value of my hybrid's 12V battery?
The CCA value is printed on the label of the 12V battery itself, next to the marking EN or CCA. On hybrids that battery often sits in the boot. You can also find the value in the vehicle specifications or the manual.
Can my hybrid jump start another car?
Not advisable. The 12V battery of a hybrid has limited capacity and is not designed to deliver large starting currents. Use a jump starter as the power source instead. We explain this in the article on giving a jump start with a hybrid.
