Sales of hybrid vehicles have drastically increased in the first quarter of 2019. This is a clear indication that most people are starting to entertain the idea of owning hybrid cars that are both fuel-efficient and emit minimal carbon.
Most countries are set to switch from conventional cars to electric and hybrid vehicles by 2030. Some of these countries include India, Ireland, and China. With this change just about a decade to go, it’s expected that most people will start to purchase hybrid cars. Before you visit your dealership and acquire your hybrid vehicle, you should learn as much about these cars as possible.
Here are a few important aspects you should know:
How Green is a Hybrid Car?
Most buyers will go for a hybrid car instead of a conventional one because the hybrid car is environment-friendly. However, how green are hybrid cars?
Hybrid cars typically use half the amount of gas used by conventional vehicles. This means that their carbon emission is also approximately half compared to the emissions produced by other cars. Therefore, hybrid cars reduce the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxide, and nitrous oxide.
Other Incredible Features
- Smaller and more efficient engines
- They’re built with lighter materials to increase their efficiency
- They’re fitted with low-resistance tires to reduce drag.
- Periodic shutting off: When you’re in traffic and you need to stop, instead of idling, the engine periodically shuts off. Once you put the gear back, the car automatically starts. This reduces the energy spent and also helps in conserving the environment.
- Regenerative braking technology: In conventional cars, the energy used while braking is wasted as heat. However, in a hybrid car, the motor system converts the energy and stores it in the battery.
Types of Hybrid Cars
- Parallel Hybrid
These are the hybrid cars whose battery is powered by the engine. The electric engine powers the car up to 14mph and can go up to approximately 1.5 miles. A parallel hybrid vehicle is very efficient when driving in the city. As you accelerate, the engines pick up from the electric motor and power the car when you’re driving at a higher speed.
- Plug-in Hybrid
The engine and an outlet source can charge the plug-in models. They have a bigger battery and can, therefore, drive for longer than parallel hybrid cars. Like parallel hybrid cars, the car runs off electricity when driving at a low speed. Once you start to speed up, it runs on gas and electricity.
Plug-in hybrid cars are generally more expensive than other hybrid vehicles because:
- Their battery capacity is bigger to store more power, especially since they can be charged from an outside source.
- Their batteries are smaller in size to save space and allow the car to have more aesthetic features. Unlike other hybrid vehicles, their batteries aren’t made of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride. Instead, they’re made of lithium-ion, which makes them possible to be smaller.
All in all, plenty of auto loan lenders are listed on crediful offering very affordable deals to help you purchase the hybrid car of your choice.
- Range Extender Hybrid
The range extender hybrid cars run entirely on electricity. They only use their diesel or petrol engine to recharge the batteries.
Before you get a range extender vehicle, ensure you know the size of the battery. The larger the capacity of the cells, the more power the car has.
Factors To Consider When Buying A Hybrid Car
- Your traveling needs
If you need to travel within the city, a hybrid car would be ideal since it will help you reduce fuel costs. However, if you travel long distances daily, you might as well go for conventional cars. Hybrid cars aren’t as fuel-convenient when traveling for long periods and at high speeds.
- Your State
In the Obama era, there were many incentives for buying a hybrid car. However, some states have increased the taxes associated with hybrid vehicles today. Therefore, ensure that you do due diligence before purchasing the vehicle.
- Knowledge of car maintenance
Hybrid cars are only now becoming popular in the market. They’re being upgraded every other day, making it challenging for experienced mechanics to keep up with all the updates. Therefore, make sure you know where you’ll be taking the car for maintenance so it will serve you for a long time.
In conclusion, people are turning to hybrid cars primarily to contribute to a cleaner and greener environment. However, if it isn’t as convincing for you, consider that, since hybrid vehicles use less gas, the global demand for gas will reduce. This will consequently reduce the cost of gas. In the long run, these effects will lower the cost of producing other items that use fossil fuels for production.
