The Pros and Cons of Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Cars Offer Benefits But Also Have Drawbacks

Jul 26, 2008

Owning a hybrid car may be good for the environment but the savings in gas may not reap benefits for many years.

A hybrid car has both an electric and gasoline engine. Generally, the electric battery will power a car while driving at slower speeds. At higher speeds, the gas engine will kick in. While using the gas engine, the electric battery will be recharged.

Advantages of Hybrid Cars

The most obvious advantage is using less gas. Traditional gas powered cars are less efficient in city and stop and go traffic. This is exactly the time a hybrid car uses electric battery power. People that drive for short periods of time or drive in traffic will benefit the most from a hybrid car. Additionally, hybrid cars have been found to operate better in colder temperatures.

Some states offer tax incentives for hybrid car purchases. Although the federal government also offers tax incentives, many of these have been used up. At this time, Honda still has tax credits remaining through the end of 2008.

Some insurance companies are offering lower rates for drivers of hybrid cars based on research showing drivers of hybrid cars are less likely to be in an accident than drivers of gas powered cars.

Disadvantages of Hybrids

Hybrid cars are expensive to purchase. They cost more than traditional gas powered automobiles to purchase. For some, there is a $5,000 difference in price tags between the two vehicles. This large increase in the purchase price may take a long time to recover in the cost of gas.

According to CarBuyingTips.com, the average fuel saving for hybrid cars is 10% to 15% in city driving. They estimate most hybrids to get between 30 – 50 miles per gallon for city driving. Highway driving does not offer any gas saving benefits as your gas engine will take over and fuel your car for high speed driving. In addition, gas saving for hybrid cars is based on careful driving habits. Gunning your car or you accelerate quickly, the gas engine will kick in, even in city driving, eliminating some or all of your gas savings.

Hybrid vs. Gas, Possibly a Draw

According to an article on Edmunds.com, when weighing the pros and cons of purchasing a hybrid car, it ends up a draw. The federal and state tax benefits, the better fuel mileage and possible lower insurance rates offset the higher purchase price. For those however, that purchase hybrid cars because they are good for the environment, the benefits may outweigh the disadvantages.

Mello, Tara Baukkus (2008, Jul 23). The Real Costs of Owning a Hybrid. Edmunds.com

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