If you are contemplating on buying a new car, you might as well consider a hybrid car, which is now a popular option among car buyers around the world.
Hybrid cars are vehicles that use both gasoline and electricity to sustain their power, and they can range from supercars to pickup trucks.
Since hybrid cars are models that get far better gas mileage, they can make a huge difference in budgeting your household expenses.
However, here are five things you might have to consider if you opt to purchase one:
1. Type Of Hybrid Car
Repair Smith details that the main types of hybrid cars on the road today are Parallel Hybrid Cars, Light Hybrid Cars, Plug-In Hybrid Cars, and Range-Extended Hybrids.
- Parallel Hybrid Cars are the most common type, which offer an electric motor that works parallel with the gasoline engine to run the vehicle.
- Light Hybrid Cars, on the other hand, sit between full hybrid cars and battery-powered electric vehicles, where the battery is generally used to boost the gasoline engine.
- Plug-in Hybrid Cars are a blend of hybrid and electric vehicles that work when plugged in and charged on a plug-in hybrid system.
- Range-Extended Hybrids, lastly, are vehicles that use the gasoline engine to recharge the battery pack of the electric motor for later use.
Before buying a hybrid car, it is important to understand how they work.
2. Acceleration and Brakes
Hybrid cars might feel weird inthe sense that acceleration and brakes can be delayed or muted once you step on them, Cars writes.
When you step on the gas pedal, the electric motor immediately kicks in and powers the vehicle at around 35 to 40 miles per hour as the gasoline engine starts running.
Meanwhile, brakes can be affected by the amount of power in the battery as the driver still is generally using the battery when they hit the brakes.
However, drivers may feel weird and disconnected from their vehicles because it is a big transition from the classical vehicles that they might have been used to.
Read More: Gasoline Engine, Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, Fully Electric: Which Kind of Car Should You Buy?
3. Batteries and Gas
Hybrid cars might come a little too pricey, and their lithium-ion batteries account for a third of the vehicle cost, according to Wired.
Batteries for these hybrid cars are also costly to replace should it be required over time, but studies show that a car can run for 100,000 miles and still retain 80 to 85% of its capacity.
Additionally, you will be saving on other car maintenance costs, including oil changes, tune-ups, and catalytic converters.
Furthermore, hybrid cars can save you some money on gas since you will not need to fill up the pump as often because it has a battery for backup.
4. Warranty and Incentives
According to Wired, generous powertrain warranties remain for hybrid car buyers, as manufacturers protect the hybrid system components regardless of coverage.
Additionally, the federal government offers subsidies of up to $7,500 to persuade drivers to make the switch to hybrid vehicles that reduce carbon emissions.
However, there are many catches to the tax incentives for owning hybrid cars, and it might help to consult a tax professional if you plan on getting one of these hybrids, Wired says.
5. Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact
Hybrid cars do a lot to help the environment and are advisable for someone who wants to cruise with a clean conscience and fewer carbon emissions.
It is important to consider whether the hybrid you chose has a positive impact on the environment since some of these cars still contain heavy metals that are environmentally damaging.
Hybrid cars save energy as well because they are more fuel efficient and tend to operate in ways that save energy while going long distances with less fuel.
By taking into consideration your needs and wants and the advantages and disadvantages of buying a hybrid car, you might be able to find just the right fit for you.
Related Article: Hybrid and Electric Car Owners Could Face Tax Hikes
