Gary Brady wrote:

We have a Honda Civic Hybrid and, best I can tell, the starter IS 12
volts, and is operated from the 12v battery. The kicker is that engine
always starts with the assist motor, which operates off the 156v
battery. The engine starts silently, I've never heard the starter
operate. I believe that the starter is for emergency use, that is, when
the assist system is not working.


Or when you can't afford replacing drive batteries late in vehicles life
cycle? At least they were thinking.

Wes