The Downsides and Disadvantages of Driving Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid cars, or hybrid-electric vehicles, are cars that use electric motors to augment the power produced by gasoline, according to consumer product website ConsumerReports.org. Two types of hybrid vehicles exist: full hybrids, which use gas to supplement the electricity, and mild hybrids, which use electricity to supplement the gas. These cars are touted as environmentally friendly, but they have some disadvantages when compared with standard vehicles.

A common concern stated by consumers is the battery that powers hybrid cars. Some hybrids use batteries made from metal hydride. These batteries operate at high voltages. In the event of a crash, metal hydride batteries have the potential to kill a person, according to the environmentally conscious website GreenFootsteps.com. Older hybrid cars need to be re-charged on a regular basis, about every two weeks. For longer trips and vacations, this can be inconvenient or impossible. Those in colder temperatures may find their battery life is significantly reduced when compared with the average hybrid car battery of 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Hyrbid cars in colder climates offer lower fuel savings than hybrid cars in warmer climates, according to the car website Vehix.com

One of the biggest disadvantages of a hybrid car is the sticker shock consumers face. Consumer car website Vehix.com points out that while the cost of hybrid vehicles drop, tax incentives available when the cars hit the market may have expired. Another disadvantage is the ease, or lack thereof, of service stations. Hybrid vehicles have parts that are not common. Hybrid drivetrains, batteries and regulators are constructed differently than their non-hybrid counterparts. Not every mechanic is familiar with these parts, and even fewer are able to service them. This can equate to more trips to the car dealer, which Vehix.com suggests can become costly and inconvenient. Most hybrids come with longer warranties than their non-hybrid counterparts, but when the warranties run out, the price of maintenance increases dramatically.

As paradoxical as it seems, hybrid vehicles come packaged with environmental concerns. The term "carbon footprint" applies to the amount of resources spent to create and operate a vehicle. While touted as more environmentally friendly, hybrid cars are manufactured in factories that produce just as much environmental waste as factories manufacturing non-hybrid cars, according to hybrid car enthusiast website Hybrid-Cars.org. Hybrid cars do produce pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.

References:
http://www.vehix.com/articles/green/the-disadvantages-of-hybrid-cars/1
http://www.greenfootsteps.com/hybrid-car-disadvantages.html
http://www.hybrid-cars.org/featured/hybrid-car-disadvantage
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/news/2008/04/guide-to-hybrid-cars/overview/guide-to-hybrid-cars-ov.htm