Myths about Hybrid Cars

by admin

Like any new technology, there are always confusion and misinformation - myths about Hybrid Cars. Five years ago, hybrids are still unknown commodities, today there are hundreds of thousands on American driveways. Most industry analysts predict an estimates ranging from 600,000 to 800,000 hybrid sales in the United States by 2010.

Let’s learn what is ….. and is not …. true about these new vehicles powered by a combination of gasoline and electricity.

Myth #1: Hybrid cars need to be plugged in

This is a myth that has resulted from confusion of hybrod cars with electric cars.

The electric cars indeed rely on an external plug for their power, and their range is therefore limited. Hybrid cars, however, use a mechanism known as ‘regenerative braking’ to charge their batteries — essentially transforming the car’s deceleration into electrical energy that is then stored in the battery.

Myth #2: Hybrid cars lack power

Because the first-generation hybrid cars were designed to get superior gas mileage (60 miles to the gallon), they were a little slow out of the gate. But today’s hybrid cars are both fast and powerful.

Newer hybrids are just as powerful as they are fast. the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid can accelerate with almost the same V-6-like power as its gas-powered sibling, and the 2008 Lexus GS 450h can go from 0-100km/hr in just 5.2 seconds.

Of course, all other things being equal, more power generally translates into poorer fuel economy.

Myth #3: All hybrid cars have great fuel efficiency

It’s true that all hybrid cars are more fuel-efficient than their gasoline-only counterparts.

However, the fuel efficiency of a hybrid car is largely dependent on the type of driving you do. Because hybrids generate electrical power through braking (see above) and save power by switching off the gas engine when they come to a stop, they get better mileage in the city than they do on the highway. If you intend to do a lot of long distance highway driving, a hybrid may in fact provide very lower fuel efficiency.

Myth #4: Hybrid cars cost more to maintain

The cost of maintaining hybrid cars is no higher than for gasoline-only vehicles. There’s less wear on the engine and brakes, so the cars are predicted to require less repair over the life of the vehicle. Hybrid cars still need oil changes and tire rotations, but they don’t need them any more frequently than other cars.

People shopping for hybrids are sometimes concerned that because hybrid technology is new, they will only be able to get their hybrid cars serviced at an expensive dealership. Most of the components of a hybrid vehicle are the same as a gasoline-only car, so independent mechanics are able to do most of the work on hybrids. As these cars are becoming more popular, many mechanics are also attending classes on hybrid technology.

Myth #5: Hybrid cars have a short lifespan and are expensive to replace

It’s true that the nickel-metal batteries in hybrid cars cost a lot ( at least a few thousand dollars)to replace, however, the manufacturers offer warranties of 8-10 years or 160,000 km, so you should not have to worry about replacing the batteries.

Since there aren’t yet many hybrids on the road that have hit those lengthy milestones, it’s difficult to ascertain how long hybrid batteries will actually last. Anecdotally, however, a cab driver in Vancouver drove his Toyota Prius 320,000 km in 25 months, and his car’s batteries remained strong.

Myth #6: Hybrid cars are expensive

It’s true that the initial purchase price of hybrid cars are more costly than similar models powered only by gas. However there are some important savings to consider: “clean fuel” federal tax deduction; the ever rising cost of gasoline etc..

Let us do some quick math comparing the economics of a 2008 Toyota Camry hybrid, its gas-only basic counterpart, and a 2008 Toyota Prius. The Toyota Camry Hybrid costs $32,000 with a fuel efficiency of 5.7 l/100km (50 mpg) and annual fuel cost of $1140. The Toyota Camry LE (gas-only) costs $25,900 with a fuel efficiency of 8.0 l/100km (35 mpg) and annual fuel cost of $1600. A Toyota Prius costs $29,500 with a fuel efficiency of 4.1 /100km (57 mpg) and annual fuel cost of $820. (The fuel costs are based on 20,000 km (12,427.42 miles) per year at $1 per litre/ $2.18 per gallon.)

According to the above numbers, it would take 10 years of driving (200,000 km) to recoup the initial price difference between a Camry Hybrid and Camry LE, but only two years (40,000km) to recoup the price difference between a Toyota Prius and a Camry LE (excluding increased interest charges). If gas prices continue to rise, the payback time decreases. Likewise, the higher gas prices climb, the higher the resale value of a hybrid – already considerably more than that of a gas-only vehicle. The upshot? If you’re in the market for a new car anyway, a hybrid might well make economic sense.

If you are having a tough time separating hybrid truth from reality, you’re not alone. I hope the above help to debunk your Myths about Hybrid Cars.

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