What's all the fuss about...? Hybrid Vehicles

One of the questions I get asked a lot is, “So do you drive a Prius?”  My answer is no – but not because I don’t think hybrid cars are worthwhile.  There are a lot of pros and cons to hybrid vehicles, and it’s important to understand when and why hybrid technology is a good choice, and when and why it might not be.

How it works

A basic hybrid has two engines – a highly fuel efficient gas engine, and a large electric motor.  The gas engine is used to start the vehicle and operate it at highway speeds.  It also works to re-charge the battery of the electric motor, and takes over if the battery loses charge.  The electric motor operates the vehicle during typical city use – stop-and-go driving – and the braking system continuously recharges the battery.  Contrary to popular belief, hybrids do not need to be plugged in!

The Good

The most obvious benefit to the hybrid system is fuel efficiency.  Hybrid gas engines range between 40 and 60 mpg when in use on the highway (for car models; SUVs will be lower), and the normally less-efficient city driving is managed by the electric motor.  When idling the motor simply shuts off, saving power.

When compared to a fully electric vehicle, hybrids also have an advantage in the fact that the driver will never be stranded without power.  When the battery runs low, the gas engine kicks in and begins recharging the electric motor.

Monetarily, the federal government offers a tax break to hybrid drivers, and the amount of money spent annually on fuel can usually be cut in half.  Many insurance companies also offer discounts to hybrid drivers.

The Bad

The key to deciding whether a hybrid is the right vehicle is your driving pattern.  If the majority of your road-time is on the highway, you’re not going to benefit as much from the hybrid technology as a city driver.  The biggest benefit of a hybrid is the electric motor, which you’ll recall is only used in stop-and-go driving.  You’ll still get great gas mileage on the highway, but it’s kind of missing the point of a hybrid vehicle.  Highway drivers would better benefit from a fuel-efficient gas vehicle.

The other catch is the price.  Hybrid cars often cost significantly more than gas vehicles, and even though advances in technology and high demand have brought the prices down, they can still cost up to $10,000 more than an inexpensive four-cylinder car.

The Myths

While the technology within a hybrid system is complex, the maintenance is no more difficult than that of a regular vehicle.  Many critics lament over the disposal of the battery, but proper care of the vehicle ensures that it won’t need replacing.  And some systems, such as the regenerative brakes, last longer than in regular vehicles.

Hybrid cars also have a bad rap for being “funny looking.”  This may just be a matter of taste, but many car manufacturers are hearing the buzz and converting their standard models into hybrids.  The Honda Civic, the Chevy Malibu, even the Lexus RX crossover now come with a hybrid system, yet they look exactly like their gas-powered counterparts.

These are just a few things to consider if you’re thinking about making the switch to hybrid.  For more information, check out www.hybridcars.com