There is a wide variety of hybrid cars available today with different manufacturers producing their own editions. Knowing the pros and cons of using a hybrid car is essential before any significant purchases or decisions.
In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid vehicles for you to make an informed decision on whether to purchase one or not.
What Is a Hybrid?
In the United States, hybrid automobiles utilize an internal combustion engine as well as an electric motor for propulsion, however, the only fuel that can be used is gasoline. (Though there are diesel hybrids, they are solely used in locomotives and other ultra-heavy-duty machines.)
Hybrids use small high-voltage batteries to power the electric motors, but hybrids are not plugged in.
Without an external power source, regenerative braking – vehicles use the electric motor as an energy generator when slowing down – provides electricity to the motor. If you are fond of F1 racing, it may be referred to as Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).
Rather than supplanting the conventional brakes, the regen system operates as a critical substitute. Electric energy collected through this method is stored in the battery for instant use during the next acceleration phase.
When you leave a stoplight, the saved energy can propel the car forward, helping to defer the activation of the gasoline engine until the car reaches 25 miles per hour. As the vehicle came to another stop, the cycle recommenced.
This contributes to a hybrid’s city fuel economy being significantly higher than a non-hybrid vehicle, plus its highway fuel economy.
How do hybrid cars work?
Though various hybrids function differently, the underlying principle is that a petrol engine is there to maintain cruising speed over longer distances, while a battery and electric motor serve to power shorter urban trips, where emissions are more problematic.
Types of hybrid cars
As set out above, there are different types of hybrid, which we’ll detail now.
Self-charging hybrid
Self-charging hybrids recharge through a combustion engine acting as a generator, or by recuperating kinetic energy through electrical energy conversion known as regenerative braking. Plug-in self-charging hybrids do not have the option of being plugged into a charging socket, making them distinct from their cousins.
Self-charging hybrids can operate solely on battery supply without having to participate in combustion, enabling zero-emission motoring. Despite the positive effects on the environment, the vehicle can only achieve this state for limited distances of maybe a mile and does require the vehicle to remain at a lower speed, set at a maximum of 25mph.
Besides Toyota being a tremendous maker of self-charging hybrids, their siblings Lexus and Renault Clio vehicles come with self-charging hybrid features. Ford Kuga is also known for having these systems integrated, becoming increasingly popular alongside the other brands.
Plug-in hybrid
Also known as PHEVs, self-charging plug-in hybrids dual hybrids have an electrically powered battery that enables charging through the socket, facilitating ease of use for drivers. The motors can recharge using three different methods: by receiving energy through a drive motor, recharging through an engine, and getting power through an outlet.
When comparing self-charging hybrids with PHEVs, the second option offers a better performance/energy delivery ratio. Unlike self-charging hybrids, they can seamlessly transition to greater distances of 20-80 miles as well as attain a higher vehicle speed at 70 mph and beyond.
Plug-in hybrids are generally costlier than the self-charging variants, but they have their perks because taxes are lower for company car drivers. Company car drivers greatly favor these rides.
The range of cars that come with plug-in hybrid features is immense. It is available as a substitute to traditional petrol or diesel engines on a wide array of vehicles, from the not-so-fancy Volkswagen Golf to the high-end Porsche Cayenne.
Some supercars like the McLaren Artura and Ferrari SF90 Stradale utilize the plug-in hybrid as a means of delivering greater performance.
Mild hybrid
In reality, mild hybrids involve little to no hybrid technology, not in the way we have examined them so far. They have an electric motor, a battery, and, unlike other hybrids, they can’t power themselves through electricity alone.
The electric motor and battery assist the engine when starting from a stationary position and help it turn off when coasting downhill so the battery can power the systems like steering.
The combination of electric motor and battery paired with sophisticated stop-start engines is what defines mild hybrid systems.
Advantages of a Hybrid Car
Here are a few of the top advantages of having a hybrid car:
1. Grants and Tax Benefits
Purchasing a hybrid car in Europe comes with a number of advantages, one of which is being able to take advantage of several grants, tax breaks, and exemptions available in many countries.
An example would be the owners of plug-in hybrid vehicles in various European countries, who can easily buy green cars because of the government’s subsidies. Also, some countries offer lower road taxes, lower registration costs, and even discounts on city tolls which leads to savings over the long run.
2. Lower Operating Costs
Unlike traditional gas powered cars, operating hybrid cars comes at a significantly lower cost. Throughout Europe, these vehicles can be powered more frequently by electric and petrol engines, reducing the number of times they need to refuel.
An increase in fuel efficiency comes with less expensive fuel and lower maintenance which greatly increases the value for money. It is true that hybrid cars are a great investment if you are trying to be economical.
3. Savings on Maintenance
Unlike conventional cars, hybrid cars require less maintenance. With regenerative braking, key components of a hybrid car, such as the brake system, experience less wear and tear. This technology aids in decelerating the vehicle, in addition to recharging the battery.
This allows brakes to wear less, requiring less frequent replacement. In addition, once hybrids are driven off the dealership lot, they depreciate more slowly in value than conventional vehicles, ensuring customers get more value for money.
4. Greater Efficiency and Performance
SEAT hybrid vehicles are designed with both economy and performance in mind. In cities, hybrid gasoline vehicles tend to be far more efficient than standard cars due to the electric motor.
Fuel economy in towns is particularly effective during severe traffic jams, capturing fumes and fuel while delivering a much quieter, smoother ride and less shoddy operation to the engine.
5. Extended Range for Long Trips
Electricity and petrol power working together in plug-in hybrid cars allows them to be exceptionally useful for moderate inner-city driving as well as during long journeys. For instance, the León e-HYBRID model can drive 133 km on electric alone. That’s a lot of km, especially for driving in the city.
When going on longer journeys, the petrol engine makes sure that you are not limited by what the battery can offer for range, giving the benefits of a longer range and less fuel consumption, both things the engine can accomplish with ease.
6. Charging Flexibility
In Europe, charging a plug-in hybrid vehicle has become easier. These cars can be charged at home with a standard wall outlet or a dedicated charger, and there is a growing amount of charging stations available to the public.
This enables you to conveniently maintain your electric battery charged, whether at home or on the road. This means that some drivers may require less frequent stops for refuelling, resulting in greater flexibility in driving.
7. Sustainability and Renewable Energy
The driving of a hybrid electric vehicle reinforces sustainable movements within Europe. Hybrids’ lower fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions improve the quality of air in cities, thus bringing greater sustainability.
Advanced Technology enables SEAT Models to be driven with a minimum carbon footprint, thus enabling sustainable driving. Such models make hybrids worth considering for environmentally conscious people who want to mitigate their impact on the planet.
8. Benefits of the ECO Label
In some Western European countries, hybrid cars with ECO label can receive additional benefits of these advantages. Lower parking tariffs, reduced tolls, and exemption from some restrictions in central zones of the city are also included.
In addition, use of compulsory bus lanes and carpool lanes by hybrid vehicles contributes to the reduction of traffic jams. Hybrids are less expensive to maintain than traditional cars due to the electric motor and regenerative braking system, which offers both financial and practical advantages.
9. Access to Restricted Areas
Several European cities limit the use of internal combustion vehicles due to pollution, while hybrid cars are usually not included in these restrictions. This exemption has great value when it comes to metropolitan areas and works to the driver’s advantage.
By nature, hybrid cars help improve air quality because they try to limit emissions. These advantages, along with the potential to save money in the long-term, make hybrid vehicles more attractive to second-hand buyers.
10. Longer Lifespan
Hybrid vehicles require less energy with their combination of electric and petrol power, assisting over time with less wear and tear on the engine and key components, making them more durable.
Hybrid cars have increased longevity due to regenerative braking and the electromotor sharing workload. As these vehicles last longer than conventional cars, it allows hybrids to retain their value, which is better due to lower maintenance needs and increased durability with time.
Disadvantages of a Hybrid Car
Higher Purchasing Costs and Complex Hybrid Tech
Hybrid vehicles cost more than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars because of their added complexity. Along with all the features that are usually found in a regular automobile, hybrids have additional:
- one or more electric motors
- a significant battery pack
- gear systems necessary for transferring power from the ICE and electric motors to the wheels
- large amounts of additional wiring
- Improved cooling system
- much more sophisticated central computer system.
The extra features add to the initial purchasing cost and may have an impact on maintenance expenditures. In this case, the maintenance could be rather costly if any of the hybrid system components are damaged.
Even though car partition manufacturers provide very generous warranties for the hybrid components, such as the battery, for at least seven years, buying a used hybrid car still poses significant risks.
For comprehensive warranties for the hybrid parts (including the battery), with coverage for seven or more years, buying a used hybrid car still represents a particular risk.
Weight
The increased size and capacity of the hybrid battery add extra weight, which affects performance. For example, conventional 12-volt car batteries range from 30 to 50 pounds, but the battery in a Toyota Prius is larger at approximately 120 pounds.
As an example, consider the 2024 Toyota RAV4, which comes with a standard internal combustion engine, hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variation.
- The non-hybrid Toyota RAV4 XLE AWD weighs 3,515 lbs
- The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SE AWD weighs 3,775 lbs
- The Toyota RAV4 Prime SE AWD PHEV comes in 4at ,235 lbs
Hence, hybrids add more than 200 lbs, while plug-ins add about 700 lbs. While the total curb weight is still less than an EV of similar size, this additional weight can still negatively affect braking, acceleration, and handling.
Performance
Aside from a few outliers with extreme performance specifications like the McLaren P1, Honda NSX, or the Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid Turbo S, hybrid vehicles tend to only focus on one primary goal: improving fuel consumption and reducing greenhouse emissions.
This typically enables engineers and designers to sculpt every component of the hybrid car as per the said objectives. To summarize, hybrid vehicles possess an air conditioning unit that is less powerful, an internal combustion engine that is less powerful and greater finely-tuned, low-friction tires, and a zealously engineered transmission perfectly designed for maximum fuel consumption efficiency.
Adoption of these processes will modify the vehicle’s performance, made more challenging by the increase in weight. In comparison to other vehicles powered by internal combustion engines of similar power capability, hybrid vehicles are slower, which is due a less powerful engines.
Battery Replacement Cost
For vehicles powered by internal combustion engine and not hybrids, battery replacement is the usual consideration in terms of costs. The 12 volt batteries cost on average between $100 to $200 while the replacement and servicing of a hybrid battery to a Toyota Prius costs around $1,200.
The battery lifespan ranges between 8-10 years, or 100,000-150,000 miles. In some instances, out-of-warranty repairs for worn or damaged hybrid batteries can exceed $6,000, depending on the specific vehicle and battery type.
Longer Stopping Distances
Traditional brakes are more challenged by the added weight of hybrid powertrains. Studies show that the stopping distances of hybrids are considerably greater than their non-hybrid counterparts.
This phenomenon is enhanced by many hybrids employing low rolling resistance tires. While they do save weight to increase fuel efficiency, these tires add to the stopping distance of the vehicle.
One possible solution is to install tires fitted on the non-hybrid version of the model. This will, however, result in a higher price of the hybrid.
Lack of Incentives
Federal incentives have decreased alongside the decreasing cost of the hybrid price tier. Unless a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is purchased, there is no incentive eligibility, with PHEVs qualifying for $3,750 to $7,500 in federal incentives.
Except for fuel economy technologies, most of them are now focused on electric vehicles, which are also simpler mechanically.
Fuel Economy on the Open Roads or Highway
According to a study by CMU in 2013, hybrids make very little sense if you do a lot of driving on the freeway.
In contrast, the forward-looking hybrids have much in the way of low emissions in urban traffic. Even so, hybrids are as bad as conventional engined cars in terms of emissions when driving on the highway.
Higher Insurance Rates
Insurance experts report that monthly premiums for hybrid vehicles are costlier by dollars compared to an insured regular car in the United States by $41.
Car insurance experts found that the greater premium charged on hybrid vehicles is mostly attributable to the higher cost purchase price, the expensive hybrid systems incorporated in the car, and the profile of the typical owner of such cars.
Owners of hybrid vehicles tend to reside in highly populated cities which increases the cost of insurance. In addition, the damage claim cost of non-hybrid cars is cheaper than the repair cost of hybrid cars which significantly lowers the car insurance premium.
Diminished Hybrid Fuel Efficiency in Cold Weather
When dealing with colder regions, hybrid batteries take longer to reach their operating temperature. This means that the chemical reaction that takes place inside the battery, which releases energy to the electric motor, is performing at a fraction of its maximum efficiency when it is cold, in comparison to warm weather.
At the same time, there is also an increase in the effort needed from the internal combustion motor with the energy released in the fuel combustion process, which is the primary cause of the increased fuel consumption of hybrid vehicles during winter.