This is the time of year that many people are looking to buy a newer or newer vehicle. Gas mileage has now become an important factor in deciding what type of vehicle to buy. That has led to the growing number of hybrids on the market. Hybrids are a great option for many people, but not everyone. So how do you know which category you fall into?
Hybrid cars contain both a gasoline engine and an electric motor that runs on a battery. These vehicles can run on either engine or both simultaneously. Hybrids have many advantages.
Probably the biggest advantage of the hybrid vehicle is that it shuts off the gasoline engine when the car is idling, such as at a red light. The engine starts automatically once the accelerator pedal is depressed. This reduces stress on the engine, reduces emissions, and saves an enormous amount of gasoline. Regenerative braking is the second great advantage of a hybrid. During braking, the electric motor applies resistance to the wheels, causing them to slow down. It converts the kinetic energy of the wheels into electricity that is stored in the battery. In addition to generating power, this puts less stress on the brakes.
Hybrids require less maintenance due to less stress on the engine and brake system. Also, it is not necessary to change the oil as often as in normal vehicles.
Another advantage of a hybrid is that its gasoline engine is smaller than that of a conventional car. It’s smaller because the hybrid can draw extra power from the electric motor when needed to climb a hill, overtake, or accelerate. That smaller engine is built with the newest technology designed to increase efficiency and reduce emissions.
Hybrid vehicles are very aerodynamic. This reduces drag and improves gas mileage. They are also made of lightweight materials and use low rolling resistance tires. These tires have half the strength of normal tires because they are stiffer and more inflated.
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of a hybrid is the price that ranges from $ 3,000 to $ 8,000 more than the gasoline versions. It takes many years to recoup that expense in gas savings. Another downside to owning a hybrid is that it generally has to be repaired at the dealer. Labor costs are often higher at a dealership than a private auto repair shop. Many of these stores do not have the knowledge and expensive equipment necessary to repair hybrids.
In older hybrids, the battery must be recharged every two weeks. The newer ones don’t require it and the batteries are designed to last 150,000 to 200,000 miles. If the battery fails, it is expensive to replace. A new battery can cost several thousand dollars. There have also been some claims that the batteries do not perform well in very cold weather, causing the vehicle to be powered solely by the gasoline engine, thus defeating the purpose of the hybrid.
Lastly, hybrids don’t get a drastic improvement in gas mileage on the highway because that’s when the gas engine is powering the vehicle. Therefore, people who primarily drive on highways will not see much of a benefit from a hybrid. In contrast, people who drive primarily in the city will see a huge benefit from greatly improving gas mileage.
