Hybrid Cars Expansion: Hopes and Reality

Hybrid cars are gaining popularity in the US, presenting an intermediate stage between internal combustion engines and pure electricity. New cars for 2024 from different manufacturers are also replete with various hybrids. From mild to plug-in, there are options to suit any lifestyle and needs. However, like any other type of vehicle, hybrids have their drawbacks.

There are currently three main varieties that have all the most popular hybrid cars on the market: Mild, Self-charging, and Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Even though they are often presented as the optimal choice, this power plant option won't suit everyone. The Indy Auto Man car experts share several pros and cons of hybrid cars to help motorists decide whether this type is the best fit. 

The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to the benefits of a hybrid is fuel economy. With gasoline prices constantly rising, fuel costs come to the top of the list of priorities for many US buyers. Thanks to the battery, which significantly reduces consumption, a plug-in hybrid (like the Hyundai Tucson PHEV) can bring it up to three liters per hundred. This is especially true if you make relatively short trips around town at low speeds because many hybrids are capable of pure electric propulsion over short distances, keeping fuel economy to a maximum.

The running and fueling costs of a hybrid car will be lower than a conventional one, but it will almost certainly cost more. Even a used hybrid is often more expensive than its counterparts driven by the familiar internal combustion engine. This is largely due to the high cost of metals needed to produce batteries. Luckily, the higher initial cost will pay back over a few years of use, as the owner saves money on fuel and maintenance in the long run. In addition, the situation will change as automakers increasingly use hybrids as a default option because any technology becomes cheaper as it becomes widespread.

The charging problem  plagues electric vehicle owners goes away when owning a hybrid. No matter the mileage, from commuting to long-distance travel, one can always count on filling the tank with gas. Thus, the owner gets the “best of both worlds”: a few minute's drive from work can be in all-electric mode, and gasoline will back up a trip to another state.

When using a plug-in hybrid every day, it's crucial to charge periodically. After all, if its battery is low, all the benefits of fuel efficiency will disappear, and the heavy car will become less efficient, running on gasoline alone. By the way, in the US, this has become a fairly common phenomenon: people buy PHEVs for the sake of tax benefits but drive only on gasoline, saving up for recharging.

A hybrid may be the ideal choice for city driving, thanks to its pure-electric range, lower emissions, and small maintenance costs. At low speeds and light loads, the electric motor will cover most of the needs of an average city dweller. After all, cars with an internal combustion engine are, as a rule, least efficient when idling and in a traffic jam, and a hybrid in such a situation will turn off the engine and use only electrical reserves.

Truck drivers have a harder time owning hybrids because they are not as efficient at high speeds, and their benefits often fade on the highway. It's not that they're any worse than regular non-hybrid cars, but the price one will pay for a hybrid might not be worth it if driving between cities regularly.

Hybrids are considered more environmentally friendly, which many, for some reason, associate with a decrease in power. However, in reality, electricity increases it while simultaneously increasing torque. Electric motors can make up torque to reduce turbo lag and improve performance when combustion engine torque is weak. For example, the Toyota Prius is as fast in a straight line as the GR86.

All batteries lose capacity and inevitably begin to degrade with regular use. The battery of a hybrid car is no exception. So, if you've been driving your vehicle for many years or bought it used, after a while, you'll notice that the battery requires charging more frequently. Of course, technology is advancing, and batteries are lasting longer, but as the used car market fills with more and more hybrids, this is something to keep in mind because replacing batteries out of warranty is expensive. A definite advantage is that even without a battery, the hybrid can operate like a regular gasoline car. So you don't have much to lose.

Apart from battery replacement, which is rarely needed, to put it mildly, hybrid cars require less routine maintenance than conventional cars. For example, with regenerative braking, the brake pads wear out much more slowly, and the engines are less stressed, which reduces wear and tear.

In general, repairing a hybrid vehicle is not much different from servicing a regular one, but not all mechanics can handle it. Although maintenance of the engine itself does not change in any way, the battery and electric motors usually do not require intervention. When something happens to the hybrid system, you may face specialized technical centers and higher costs.

And finally, about the environmental aspect. Thanks to electric driving and low fuel consumption, hybrids produce less CO2 than gasoline-powered cars. So, if emissions are a concern for you, a hybrid vehicle may be the right choice.

If you want to get first-hand experience driving a hybrid vehicle — visit Indy Auto Man or schedule your test drive using our convenient online form: