Hybrid Myths Solved (Hybrid Facts)

First, we look at some frequently asked questions about hybrids. Most people are beginning to wonder, with a new half-gas, half-electric hybrid concept, if these vehicles can be as reliable as conventional vehicles. After understanding the basic concept of a hybrid car, the following questions almost always arise:

Is maintenance more expensive with a hybrid?

The cost of maintaining a hybrid is no more than the cost of maintaining a conventional car, and could even cost less due to decreased wear on the engine and brake system. Dealers offer longer warranties for hybrid cars compared to conventional cars; Toyota, for example, offers a 100,000-mile warranty on the emission components and battery pack (exactly the components that make up a hybrid), while Honda offers an 80,000-mile warranty on it. These warranties are offered in addition to the usual 36,000 or 3 year warranty on conventional automotive components and systems. It might be more expensive because dealership service centers typically charge more, but independent auto mechanics are learning about hybrids all over the US, and plenty of other qualified hybrid mechanics will be available soon.

Can hybrids be driven in extreme climates?

Hybrids are generally designed for the same conditions as conventional cars, designed to be driven in the same climate and temperature range. Hybrid or not, vehicles are not designed to be driven in conditions for which they were not built: temperatures no higher than 120 (approx.) Fahrenheit and no lower than 20 below zero (approx.) degrees Fahrenheit.

Are hybrids safe?

Hybrid cars are often small, fast and nimble (they help avoid accidents), and have high safety ratings for their weight class. Larger vehicles like SUVs ‘make’ people feel safe, but look at the safety ratings, larger vehicles have an atrocious track record (roll over) because at high speeds they are difficult to maneuver. Safety is not a reason to avoid purchasing a hybrid.

How long can batteries last before they need to be replaced?

Battery packs in hybrids were designed to last as long as the car can run, which is simply the life of the vehicle itself, around 150,000 to 200,000 miles or more. The usual battery warranty is about 8-10 years, dealer warranty may differ.

Is battery disposal an environmental problem?

Well, wouldn’t that be ironic? The concept of making a car environmentally friendly could be dangerous for the environment at the same time. Well, battery toxicity is the only concern. Most hybrids today use NiHM batteries, which are less of a problem than rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries. But if nickel cadmium batteries can be fully recycled, it poses no threat to the environment, so both Toyotas put a phone number on each of their batteries. Anyone who recycles spent batteries receives a $200 incentive.

Are Hybrid Batteries Harmful to Humans?

In the year 2000, many began to worry about the potential negative health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). And the electric current from a hybrid system produces electromagnetic fields. Some hybrid drivers began to get sick after driving hybrids for some time. A fraction of these people had tried using field test instruments and found that the electromagnetic fields were well above the safe levels of various international standards. Automakers, unsurprisingly, downplay the situations and state that EMF test results can vary, and some field test instruments may not be the appropriate device to test in the first place. In general, the problem has not yet been resolved.