EV & hybrid 12V battery guide
Every EV and hybrid has a small 12V battery, separate from the big traction pack. It runs the electronics and wakes the car up - and when it dies, the car often will not power on at all. Here is the 12V battery each popular model uses, its type, and where to find it.
Key takeaways
- Every EV and hybrid has a 12V auxiliary battery, separate from the high-voltage traction pack.
- A dead 12V is the #1 thing that strands an EV - the car may not unlock or power on.
- Most use an AGM battery; some newer EVs use a small lithium 12V.
- It is often in the frunk, under the rear seat, or in the rear cargo area - not always under the hood.
EV and hybrid 12V specs are not reliably published by manufacturers and can change by model year, trim, and region. Each row below is the commonly reported battery for the years shown, with our source - always confirm against the battery in your own car before buying.
| Vehicle | 12V battery | Location | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Bolt EV / EUV2017-2023 | LN1 / H4 / 140RAGM | Under hood / engine bay | autozone.com |
| Chevrolet Equinox EV2024+ | 47 / H5AGM | Under front hood | equinoxevforum.com |
| Ford Escape Hybrid2020-2024 | 47/H5 (99R also reported)AGM | Front engine compartment, passenger side | reddit.com |
| Ford F-150 Lightning2022-2025 | H3 (Ford BAGM-H3)AGM | Front trunk (frunk) | reddit.com |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E2021-2025 | H3AGM | Under hood | macheforum.com |
| Honda Accord Hybrid2018-2022 | 51 or 48/H6 (varies by trim)AGM | - | driveaccord.net |
| Honda CR-V Hybrid2017-2024 | H5AGM | Cargo area, under floor near spare-tire well | crvownersclub.com |
| Honda Insight2019-2022 | 51 / 51RAGM | Under hood | autozone.com |
| Hyundai Ioniq 52022-2025 | 47 / H5AGM | Front trunk (frunk) | ioniqforum.com |
| Hyundai Ioniq 62023-2025 | 47 / H5AGM | - | ioniqforum.com |
| Hyundai Kona Electric2019-2023 | 99R / T4 (47/H5 on 2024+)AGM | Under hood, driver's side | justanswer.com |
| Hyundai Tucson Hybrid2022+ | See sourceLithium-ion polymer (~15 Ah) | Under rear seat | tucson-forum.com |
| Kia EV62022-2025 | 47 / H5AGM | Front trunk (frunk) | kiaevforums.com |
| Kia Niro EV2019-2025 | H4/140R or T4/99 (year-dependent)AGM | Trunk / rear hatch area | kianiroforum.com |
| Kia Sorento Hybrid2021-2025 | See sourceAGM | Under trunk floor | reddit.com |
| Lexus NX 300h2015-2021 | 47 / H5AGM | Under hood / engine bay | priuschat.com |
| Lexus NX 350h2022+ | See sourceReported AGM (owner-disputed) | Trunk | reddit.com |
| Lexus RX 450h2016-2022 | S55D23LFlooded (OE, vented) | Under hood | clublexus.com |
| Nissan Ariya2023-2025 | H4 / 140RAGM | - | reddit.com |
| Nissan Leaf2011-2024 | 51RFlooded OEM (AGM common upgrade) | Under hood | summet.com |
| Rivian R1S / R1T2021-2024 (Gen 1) | See sourceLead-acid (AGM/SLA) | Under hood, near air filter | rivianforums.com |
| Rivian R1S / R1T2025+ (Gen 2) | See sourceLead-acid | Under passenger seat | rivianforums.com |
| Tesla Model 32017-2023 | 51RAGM | Under rear seat | service.tesla.com |
| Tesla Model 32024+ | See sourceLithium (LFP) | Under rear seat | tesla.com |
| Tesla Model S2012-2023 | See sourceAGM (Tesla-specific case) | Front trunk (frunk) | service.tesla.com |
| Tesla Model X2016-2021 | B19RAGM | Front trunk (frunk) | ohmmu.com |
| Tesla Model Y2020-2022 | B19AGM | Front trunk (frunk) | service.tesla.com |
| Tesla Model Y2024+ | See sourceLithium (LFP) | Front trunk (frunk) | tesla.com |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid2018-2024 | 24FAGM | Trunk, under a cover | reddit.com |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid2011-2019 | 51RAGM | Rear cargo area, under floor panel | toyotanation.com |
| Toyota Prius / Prius Prime2016-2022 | 140R / H4 / LN1AGM | Trunk (rear cargo area) | priuschat.com |
| Toyota RAV4 Hybrid2019-2025 | LN1 / H4 / 140RAGM | Trunk / rear cargo area | autozone.com |
| Toyota Sienna Hybrid2021-2026 | H5 / LN2AGM | Trunk area, passenger side | siennachat.com |
| Volkswagen ID.42021-2025 | 140R / H4AGM | Front trunk (frunk) | vwidtalk.com |
Replacing an EV/hybrid 12V is usually a simple job, but the car often needs the doors or frunk opened first while it still has power. Also see cars that need an AGM battery →
Frequently asked
Do electric cars and hybrids have a 12V battery?
Yes. Every EV and hybrid has a small 12V battery that is separate from the large traction pack. It powers the computers, locks, and screens, and it is what wakes the car up. When it dies, the car often will not power on at all - it is the most common thing that strands an EV.
What kind of 12V battery does an EV use?
Most EVs and hybrids use an AGM 12V battery, and a few newer models use a small lithium 12V. The exact group size varies by model and model year - see the table above and confirm against the battery in your car.
Where is the 12V battery in an electric car?
It varies. Common spots are the front trunk (frunk), under the rear seat, or in the rear cargo area. The table lists the location we found for each model.