A woman has taken to TikTok to state that after moving to Alaska, her Toyota hybrid left her stranded for two months because of its hybrid powertrain. TikTok user Ray (@rayrayj01) stated her displeasure in a recent video, and it was clear that she was frustrated.
While hybrid vehicles can offer great benefits over regular cars, particularly when it comes to gas savings, they aren’t suited to every condition or climate. Ray said that she learned that lesson the hard way, with her 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid not functioning properly.
What seemed to frustrate Ray more was knowing that the Toyota dealership she got the car from knew that she was going to have problems. Her frustration is clear to see, so it is perhaps no surprise that she decided to trade it in for a regular gasoline-powered model instead.
Her video opens up the discussion as to how hybrids and fully-electric vehicles operate and behave in colder climates. Cold conditions can seriously affect batteries and how electric-powered vehicles perform, particularly when it comes to all-electric EVs. It is unlikely that Ray has been alone in being frustrated with a hybrid car in cold conditions.
Ray Explained What Happened With Her Hybrid Corolla
@rayrayj01 I think it’s funny now Toyota is admittting hybrids can’t run in -20 and below, but didn’t when I owned one #toyota #corollacross #honda #hybridcar #winter ♬ original sound – Ray ray
Ray said that she learned the hard way that her Corolla Cross Hybrid wouldn’t handle the cold conditions of Alaska, the US’ northernmost state. “Funny how Toyota is admitting hybrids can’t run in -20 and below, but didn’t when I owned one,” Ray said on TikTok. She said that as her car was inoperable, she had no transportation for around two months, effectively stranding her at home.
The story became amusing for Ray after she got a call from Toyota. “So this morning I got a phone call from Toyota in my hometown. Asking me if I wanted to trade my old Toyota, my 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, in for a Toyota 4Runner,” she said. “And I just kind of giggled, and I was like … I live in Alaska now. That’s 4,000 miles away from you. No, I can’t trade it in, sorry, and I already did trade it in,” she added.
The salesman asked her why she traded it in, and she stated it was due to the hybrid not behaving correctly when things got very cold in Alaska. She then asked the salesman if he knew that the car wouldn’t work at temperatures of negative 20 degrees. “He’s like, yeah, I know that, and I was like, cool, can you teach your Toyota people up here that that’s what happens because they’re still pushing hybrids on people,” Ray said, clearly frustrated. Ray even said that when she went to trade it in for another car, a different Toyota salesman still tried to sell her another hybrid vehicle. In the end, she swapped it for a Honda Passport.
Batteries Don’t Always Like the Cold Weather
Toyota itself does state that batteries can fail or misbehave in colder conditions, especially if it is extremely cold. In the 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid user manual, it states, “When the outside temperature is extremely low (approximately -22°F [-30°C] or lower), under the influence of the outside temperature, it may not be possible to start the hybrid system.” When it comes to fully electric cars, cold weather can also have a massive impact on the overall range of EVs.
Toyota has also said that 12-volt auxiliary batteries can be weakened by freezing conditions. Even a gasoline-powered car could then have trouble turning over if the temperature has dropped too low. It is, however, easy to sympathize with Ray. She thought she was doing the right thing and using a hybrid vehicle, but what good is it to her if it doesn’t work in colder conditions at home?