Hybrid cars are becoming more famous these days since more and more people are starting to be more eco-friendly. They’re becoming the staple car that everywhere you look, a family owns one. You might even stumble on a hybrid electric car shop if your vehicle breaks down somewhere in Utah.
Despite the increasing popularity of hybrid cars, there are still people who stay away from purchasing one. It’s probably because they believe in the myths surrounding these vehicles.
1. Hybrid cars are too expensive
This is probably the most perpetuated misconception about the hybrid car. Just because this kind of car incorporates technology far more advanced than the traditional carburetor, it doesn’t mean that they’re expensive. According to car sales representatives, the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius are the most popular hybrid cars today because they cost less than $30,000.
2. Hybrid cars need to be plugged in
Another misconception is that you need to plug them in to recharge the batteries. But that’s just for pure electric cars. Hybrid cars use gasoline and electrical energy to make the engine run.
Also, the battery of the hybrid car can use the energy that’s lost when the car isn’t moving. Instead of losing the energy altogether, the battery regurgitates it somehow to recharge itself. This means that your battery will be able to work longer even if you don’t plug it in.
3. Hybrid cars are slow
This may be the case when scientists started building electric cars back in the 80s and 90s. The technology today has made it possible to power up hybrid cars to the point that they can outrun some of the fastest gas-powered vehicles today.
In fact, the Lexus RX400h has a 270-horsepower engine, while the Lexus GS 450h has a horsepower of over 300, which is powerful enough to take on some of the luxury gas-powered cars. On top of that, the Lexus GS 450h can even go to 60mph in only six seconds. So, don’t make the mistake of thinking that hybrid cars have weak engines.
4. Hybrid car batteries won’t last long
This myth is easy to believe since hybrid cars are supposed to rely heavily on their batteries to run. But, the battery life of a hybrid car is actually capable of lasting for 80,000 to 100,000 miles. If you think that’s inconceivable, try researching on the taxi driver from Vancouver with an immortal car.
This cabbie drove his Toyota Prius for more than 200,000 miles around Canada, but his battery never seemed to die on him. He used his car for more than two years, but when they checked his battery, it seemed brand new.
5. Hybrid car maintenance is expensive
The maintenance cost of a hybrid car is close to that of a gas-powered vehicle. The only difference is that they don’t need that much maintenance on the engine and the brakes unlike their gas-powered counterparts.
The hybrid car is the perfect vehicle for people who want to protect the environment and save money at the same time. If you want a car that can take you anywhere without breaking the bank and polluting the environment, the hybrid car is the vehicle for you.
