Waiting for our 2024 RX 450h+ to arrive.
Curious, where are the batteries located. I see the 12 Volt battery is in the rear cargo area under the floor and user serviceable.
Where are the other batteries located? Under the rear seat maybe? Years from now when they need replaced, could a mechanically inclined person replace them?

 

They are under the rear seat. Make sure you keep the vents in the front of the rear seats clean that keeps the batteries cool. It's warranted for 10 years. There's been stories about Prius cabs in New York City with 300,000 mi with the original battery. I'm on my six hybrid not worried at all ever replacing the battery.

 

The RX450h+ battery is located underneath the vehicle. The RX350h and RX500h have the battery under the rear seat. The vents in the RX450h+ rear seat are for cooling the on-board charger, which is located under the rear seat.. The RX450h+ battery is cooled by the HVAC system.

 

I can say that I am fortunate to purchase new Hybrid vehicle after five years, previous was a '19 Rav4 Hybrid XSE (awesome vehicle by the way). So I haven't had the chance to replace Hybrid batteries and obviously that would be costly after Toyota/Lexus 10 year warranty 150,000-mile. Here is the source for information.

Keep in mind if you are planning to DIY, you are dealing with high voltage components.

 

@djrees After watching "Toyota Hybrid Battery Replacement : Is it Worth It On Older Hybrids" You can't just buy an oem hybrid battery, theres some shipping and installation restrictions.

 

Thanks for the YT Video. Very informative. This is something I could handle. Used to be an Automotive technician for a living. Except for the heavy lifting part. Getting too old for that. Hopefully will never have to.

 

Keep in mind that the RX450h+ battery is much larger than the battery in that video. Its capacity is about 18 times as much. The RX450h+ is about 350 lbs heavier than the RX350h, and that is due to the larger battery.

Some tips for maximum battery longevity are to keep the battery at around 50% state of charge when the vehicle is not being used, and not to fully charge until right before leaving. Do not leave it fully charged or discharged for long periods of time. I store ours between 40 and 70%, with 65% being the optimal target, in my opinion, though I've also seen 50% as optimal.

The battery will not charge above 92% or drop below 12%, in my experience and will also fall to around 80% even if fully charged, when in HV mode. I believe these limits, as well as the cooling and heating of the battery, are how it lasts so long in the first place, but keeping it optimal storage conditions can reduce capacity loss even more.

 

I doubt many will ever replace the high voltage batteries in their EVs. After 10 years the vehicle will not be worth the cost.

‘’They have still not figured out what to do with the spent batteries. Typical of the green movement.

 

Good advice from WellsB. Lithium ion batteries should not be kept fully charged or fully discharged for extended periods. The mid-range is where they are most "happy", in terms of battery longevity.

 

Statistically it's a problem you're never likely to face, although I guess it''s nice to be prepared. In any event, congrats on your new car, enjoy it and hopefully worry free driving.

 

I believe the 350h still has the Nicad battery.

 

‘I was pretty sure they were L-Ion.

 

the 350h and 500h have nickel-metal hydride batteries.

 

yes. That is what I meant

 

I believe that only the plug-in hybrids have Liion battery packs. I am not certain but, I am guessing that that the plug-ins are all assembled in Japan. I've seen owners of the standard hybrids have vehicles assembled in Canada, as well as Japan. Is this a correct assumption?