A multiple stage battery system has significantly improved battery life in hybrid and electric motorized vehicle. At least two segments of battery packs are charged and discharged with two different battery management strategies, one handles transient energy needs and the other copes with cruise energy needs. The primary segment of battery are charged and discharged within a controlled State of Charge (SOC) range at a set point, it stores relatively less energy but supplies relative high impulse current during charge and discharge. The secondary segments have larger energy capacity, and are charged and discharged at constant current mode in deep cycling, near complete full charge and full discharge. These two segments of batteries could be different type of chemistry, i.e. NiMH, NiCD and Li-ion. This results in longer overall battery life and higher usable capacity for high power battery operations.