Beware the Myths About Hybrids
by: Amy Cox
Posted on: Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 at 8:10 pm by: Amy Cox
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Hybrids are possibly the most misunderstood technology that has ever approached the mainstream. There are many myths that surround the vehicles, and quite a few of the rumors are unsubstantiated. Misconceptions can keep people from understanding the true value of a hybrid car.
Hybrids are a Fad
Many people believe that hybrid vehicles are nothing more than a fad. They believe that hybrids have just started appearing in the automotive world, when in fact that could not be further from the truth. The birth of the hybrid car was in 1899, when Ferdinand Porsche revealed Mixte, his hybrid creation.
Upkeep is Expensive
Rumors have swirled about the cost of replacement batteries. Are hybrid batteries expensive to replace? Yes. Will you have to replace the batteries in your hybrid during its lifetime? No, you will probably not have to do that.
Hybrid batteries are made to last. Most come with a warranty that covers them for 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Owners can expect the batteries to last even longer than the warranty.
Consider this: After you get 100,000 miles on a standard vehicle, you usually have to have a lot of maintenance done on it. That maintenance can be expensive. It is not likely that you will have to spend more money on maintaining your hybrid than you would have to spend on a standard vehicle.
Hybrids Don’t Accelerate Well
This is a blanketed statement that does not fit all hybrids. It is basically the same as saying all fuel powered cars do accelerate well. That is simply not true.
Actually, hybrid vehicles have the ability to accelerate as well as gas powered cars, and in some cases, can even accelerate better. Why? An electric motor can be incredibly powerful and can lead to strong and smooth acceleration.
Mechanics Don’t Know How to Fix Hybrids
There has been a certain amount of fear that auto mechanics cannot service hybrid vehicles. That rumor stems from the advanced system that hybrid vehicles use.
Again, this is only a myth. Currently, even gas powered vehicles run on a highly advanced computerized system. Auto mechanics have to be schooled on advanced systems in order to make a living.
Hybrids are Small
At one time, it seemed that hybrid vehicles were all going to have small interiors. Battery packs take up a lot of room, and that caused auto manufacturers to have to get creative. Now, though, there are many offerings of roomy hybrids, and consumers have a lot of choices. They can get roomy cars, trucks and SUVs that are hybrids.
There are Safety Concerns with Hybrids
Hybrid detractors have gossiped about safety concerns in regard to hybrid vehicles. In fact, hybrids are just like any other vehicle on the road. It is important to check safety ratings before making a purchase. There are numerous hybrids that rank very high in regards to safety.
All Hybrids Get Amazing Gas Mileage
It depends on what kind of a hybrid you purchase. Some hybrid SUVs still have very poor mileage ratings, although they are emitting fewer pollutants. There are also hybrid cars on the road that run on gasoline most of the time, and occasionally use an electric assist. Those vehicles do not get stellar gas mileage either.
Hybrids differ, and in the future, it is expected for their fuel efficiency to improve. With the coming surge of electric and fuel cell vehicles, there is a good chance that many hybrids on the road will get over forty miles per gallon.
By understanding the myths associated with hybrid vehicles, you can make a better informed decision about purchasing one. Hybrids have a lot to offer consumers, from helping decrease the dependence on foreign oil to easing pollutants that come from tailpipe emissions.
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