Hybrid Cars Pros and Cons
Hybrid cars are basically cars that use two or more sources of power for locomotion. While a car with internal combustion engine is powered by gasoline and an electric car is powered by high-voltage batteries on board, a hybrid car uses both - gasoline and batteries, for the same. Though most of the hybrid variants in production today use the combination of internal combustion engine (ICE) and a battery operated electric system for power generation, there do exist some hybrid vehicles which are powered by alternative sources such as liquid nitrogen, solar power, etc. Hybrid cars have become quite popular over the last few years, such that they are being pitched as the best replacements for conventional cars which are notorious for their ill-effects on the environment.
Pros and Cons of Hybrid Cars
While there is no questioning the fact that hybrid technology is environment friendly, that need not necessarily mean it will be ideal for you. The high cost incurred in production of hybrid vehicles happens to be a major drawback of this technology. If low emissions can make you opt for a hybrid car, the price factor can make you reconsider the same. Basically, one has to take into consideration various pros and cons of these cars before deciding on buying one.
Hybrid Cars Pros
Toyota Prius, Lexus CT 200h, Honda Insight, Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima hybrid; the list of hybrid cars in production continues to grow, as people realize that the use of hybrids is not just beneficial for the environment, but is also beneficial for them. Toyota Prius was launched in the United States in 2001, and as many as 5,562 units of this car were sold that year. The sales figures tripled the following year, with the sale of 15,556 units, and continued to improve with as many as 136,463 units being sold in 2011. From 20,282 in 2001 to 268,752 in 2011, the sales statistics of hybrid cars speak volumes about their popularity.
Environment Friendly: By far, the biggest benefit of using hybrid cars is your contribution to the environment. Conventional cars are notorious for environmental pollution they cause by releasing harmful greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, in the atmosphere. By using environment-friendly hybrid cars, which boast of low emissions, you actually keep a check on the damage caused to the environment. The plug-in hybrids are considered to be the best as they use electrical system as the primary source of power, while internal combustion engine is used as a backup for electrical system.
Efficient Use of Resources: The price of crude oil in the international market has increased manifolds owing to the ever-increasing demand and limited supply of the same. This, in turn, has resulted in gasoline, as well as other products obtained from crude oil, becoming a lot more expensive than what they were a decade ago. With gasoline price increasing by the day, using alternative sources, such as electricity, has become a much more viable option. More importantly, modern hybrids are designed in such a manner that the energy which is otherwise wasted in braking is stored in the high-voltage batteries on board, and put to use car to power the car.
Efficient Performance: Internal combustion engine and electrical system, both have their own drawbacks. Using a vehicle with internal combustion engine in a city, wherein you have to brake and idle the vehicle frequently, results is waste of fuel. However, the same internal combustion engine turns out to be a boon when it comes to highway, wherein you can drive at considerable speed without having to brake frequently. In hybrid cars, you can switch between these two sources of power as per your requirement, i.e. use the electrical system when driving slow in the city and switch to internal combustion engine when cruising on the highway, and that gives them an edge on their gasoline-powered counterparts.
Other Perks: With the sole intention of promoting the use of hybrid cars, the government has come up with various schemes which give certain benefits to people who opt for these environment-friendly vehicles. In the United States, you are entitled for federal tax credits under the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES) if you own a hybrid. Similarly, those who use hybrid cars are given access to restricted lanes in some regions of North America (including some regions of the United States) and Europe.
Hybrid Cars Cons
As impressive as the aforementioned benefits of hybrid vehicles may seem, even these vehicles have come under the scanner for some wrong reasons. Among the various drawbacks of hybrids cited by the critics, cost seems to be one of the most important issue.
Hybrids are Costly: Among the various cons of hybrid cars, the most prominent one is the fact that these cars are priced heavily. Their high price can be attributed to the fact that they come with costly high-voltage batteries and two engines on board. Most of the people out there are hesitant about opting for hybrids as they demand a high initial investment.
Low Resale Value: Though these cars are quite costly, their resale value is quite low. If you plan to sell your hybrid after a few years, the same is less likely to fetch you a price that a conventional car would. The costly high-voltage batteries used in these cars have to be replaced after a regular interval, and that is a major hindrance when it comes to their resale value.
Use of Batteries is Risky: Critics of hybrid cars also highlight that the use of these high-voltage batteries in cars can turn out to be disastrous in case of accidents. While this problem doesn't affect modern hybrids, wherein batteries are designed to go off in case of an accident, you need to take a note of the same if you are buying an old model.
Some people are of the opinion that it is too early to comment on the pros and cons of hybrid cars as this technology still in its transition phase. With time, as technology gets better and competition increases, these cars will become more and more efficient and their price will come down. In that case, the wait and watch policy will be the best bet - especially if you have second thoughts on buying a hybrid car owing to its high price.
