What is a hybrid car? A hybrid is a vehicle which uses both a traditional internal-combustion engine and an electric motor powered by a battery pack. It has a special system which captures braking energy and stores it in one of the on board batteries.
Manufacturers claim hybrids cause less pollution, improve mileage, and decrease our dependence on gasoline, which is refined from oil, an expensive and rapidly-diminishing resource.
Are you in the market for a new vehicle and wondering if a hybrid would be a wise choice? Before you rush out to spend your hard-earned dollars, consider the disadvantages which owners of this new technology are experiencing.
* The initial cost of a new hybrid is from 10 to 30% higher than a traditional vehicle. It can take several years to recover the additional cost, even if gas prices remain high.
* Although hybrids come in all sizes from a compact to a SUV, there are fewer model choices. While traditional cars offer a wide variety of models, hybrid choices so far only number about 50.
* Some people think the designs of the hybrids are ugly. Those over 6 feet tall may be uncomfortable because of a lack of head and leg room. However, these are matters of personal choice.
* In a few years when you try to trade in the car, there will be more hybrids on the road. You will not recoup the extra dollars you are paying now, because the technology will no longer be new and innovative.
* Fuel economy depends on personal driving habits. If you like to speed, make jackrabbit starts, and floor the gas pedal, your savings will not nearly match the promised figures.
* If you do a lot of highway driving, you will also save very little. In the city, at lower speeds, with plenty of stop-and-go driving, hybrids can run using only the electric motor, thus saving considerable money on gas.
* On long highway trips, gas or diesel-powered cars are comparable in cost to the hybrid, and some even surpass them.
* Manufacturers quote the expected miles-per-gallon rate when driving under optimum conditions. You probably will not match it with normal car usage.
* Hybrids contain fewer accessories and those that are included are often of inferior quality. This is how manufacturers keep the price as low as possible.
* In case of a breakdown, you'll need to return to the dealer. Most ordinary mechanics are not yet trained or experienced enough to repair hybrids.
* The components, systems and computers in hybrid vehicles are highly complex. When any of these elements fail, owners can expect to be without transportation for a longer time, and they will be presented with a larger repair bill.
* In case of a serious accident, the driver and/or passengers are in danger of being exposed to high-voltage wires. Maintenance work must be done by a professional; others risk electrocution.
* Because it carries 2 heavy batteries, the hybrid can seem slow and unresponsive. It does not accelerate as fast as traditional vehicles.
* The batteries do not work well in the cold. If you live in a cold climate, you will not experience the expected savings, because your car will be using mostly gas. In this case, it is smarter to purchase a traditional vehicle.
In any case, it may not be a good idea to purchase a hybrid at present. Many experts feel that hybrid vehicles are a bridge technology, and that the cars of the future will be powered by hydrogen or methane fuel cells.
If you are determined to purchase a hybrid, you will certainly have a topic of conversation whenever family, friends and neighbors gather, you can feel proud about contributing to the health of the planet, and you may actually save a little money on gas if you drive it for a period of time . However, you may also find that these positive factors do not outweigh the headaches you'll experience while you own it.