Bad Things about Hybrid Cars
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There are a lot of nice things you can say about hybrid cars. They are more fuel efficient and you get better mileage per gallon. But did you know that there are some bad things about hybrid cars? Here are a few you should think about before you decide getting one.
First, hybrid cars do not cost the same as non-hybrid versions. The price is much higher and these are usually $2,000 to $5,000 more expensive than non-hybrid vehicles.
Just to give you an idea, a Honda Civic LX costs $15,836 while a hybrid model costs $21,725. A Chevy Malibu costs $20,451 while the hybrid variant costs $23,312. The Toyota Camry which is the luxury line costs $19,346 while the hybrid is $23,661. The Nissan Altima S version costs $19,878 while the hybrid is $23,759. The Lexus GS 460 costs $48,654 while the hybrid version costs $51,328.
It is not possible to compare the Prius which is the best seller of Toyota because there is no model that operates on gas alone.
Aside from the price, some states charge additional fees for the car registration. While this does not happen anymore, you are not sure so you have to check with the dealer if this still applies. Also, because of the high price of the hybrid vehicles, you can expect to pay more for insurance. There are also no special offers or discounts.
Next, the weight of most hybrid cars is heavier than conventional models because of the battery. As a result, manufacturers use lighter materials in producing the car. This lessens drag which is good but what if the driver gets into an accident?
Experts say that the lighter material and the battery that is used could make it difficult for people to rescue those involved in an accident. For one, there is a strong possibility that those inside and the rescuers could get electrocuted. Has this happened yet? The answer is no but this could happen.
Another bad thing about hybrid cars is that these are not easy to fix if there should be a mechanical problem. This is because of the complicated system so you can’t just bring this to any repair shop if you are thinking of saving money. The vehicle will have to be brought to the Toyota dealer where you bought it.
Although hybrid cars have been in the streets since 1999, there are not yet many around so the cost of spare parts will also be costly to the car owner.
For those who feel the need for speed, hybrid cars just like automatic cars have slower acceleration compared to normal cars. It will take 10 seconds or a little longer just to reach a cruising speed of 60 miles per hour but once you get there, then everything is smooth sailing until you step on the brake and start over.
Hybrid cars are very quiet so that is good. The bad thing about it though is that people who can’t hear them coming might get hit when they cross the street. Just like what could happen to the driver and rescuers in the event of a major accident, this has not happened yet but the US senate has concerns and is tasking a body to conduct a study.
The new generation of hybrid cars comes in all shapes and sizes from midsize cars to SUV’s. Since SUV’s are new, the towing capacity of these vehicles is much lower compared to gas vehicles.
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