Pros and cons of a hybrid car

These days, everyone wants to go green, whether that be with their homes or their cars. However, not everyone can afford to buy an electric vehicle or wants to lose the option of filling their car at a gas station. Luckily, hybrid cars offer the best of both worlds—that’s right, they have more than one fuel source. This can ultimately lead to savings over time, but not everything about these futuristic new vehicles is perfect.

Like other things in life, hybrid cars have their pros and cons. So what makes these vehicles great, and what are some of their downsides? It’s time to find out with BrokerLink’s comprehensive guide.

Definition of a hybrid vehicle

What is a hybrid car? A hybrid car combines an internal combustion engine (often petrol) with one or more electric motors to make the wheels move. There are four main types of hybrid cars. Let’s discuss each one to give you a clear understanding below:

Mild hybrids

Mild hybrid vehicles have a name that says it all. How so? It’s because they don’t use electric power to power the car on its own. It also assists the gasoline engine in moving the vehicle forward after coming to a complete stop. It saves energy used by parts of the car, such as the air conditioner that take a toll on the engine over time. These cars do not need to be plugged in because the batteries are recharged using power from the gasoline engine.

Full hybrids

Full hybrid vehicles use a gasoline engine and an electrical component. The electrical components in full hybrid cars do more work than the ones found inside mild hybrid vehicles. One of the best parts about these cars is they can let you drive a decent distance on electric power alone. This is effective for slower city driving.

Plug in hybrids

A plug in hybrid vehicle can charge their batteries with external and internal methods. Because you can plug them in like traditional electric cars, these cars can go even further than full hybrids do using electric power. Think of these cars as the halfway point between hybrid and electric vehicles because of their capabilities.

Electric vehicles with range extender hybrids

Completely electric vehicles are not technically hybrids, but some of them have small gasoline engines that can put them into this category. Usually, when an electric vehicle runs out of power, it needs to be charged with an external charger. However, these vehicles are a little different. It’s because the gasoline engine can charge the battery or power the electric motor to keep you on the road even longer.

Understanding the different types of hybrid vehicles is a great way to decide which one is right for you. This is especially true if you’re considering making the switch from a gasoline-powered vehicle. After all, purchasing a hybrid car is a big upfront investment. It’s something you should think about before taking action because you have to take many factors into account.

How a hybrid car switches between its electric motor and gas-powered engine

You might wonder how a hybrid car can switch between using its electric motor and internal combustion engine. Let us explain. The process is pretty simple. The battery will alert you if it’s having any issues. However, the car takes the lead when it comes to switching between using the battery and the engine. It uses the engine when the electric battery pack starts running low to give it time to charge.

Let’s discuss this aspect when it’s in action. When you sit in a hybrid vehicle and use the air conditioner, the engine will switch on to give the battery time to recharge so what you’re doing doesn’t get interrupted. That’s because the air conditioner uses a hybrid battery instead of the engine as a power source.

By switching between its electric motor and internal combustion engine, hybrids have lower fuel costs. A gas car relies solely on gasoline, but a hybrid system does things a little differently. You get the best of both worlds when you choose this option.

Comparing hybrid and gasoline-powered cars

There are a few key differences between hybrid and gasoline-powered cars. Let’s compare the two to see how they compare. First, hybrids have better fuel economy than their counterparts. In other words, they have a small engine and an electric drivetrain.

For a traditional vehicle to keep up, they need a horsepower of 300 or more — that’s right, they’re that good! A hybrid drivetrain is super powerful because it doesn’t rely on the power of a traditional internal combustion engine. For context, you would have to use the power of an eight-cylinder instead of a six-cylinder for a gasoline-powered vehicle to keep up with a hybrid. However, some luxury vehicles do have this capability. Hypercars (e.g. Porsches and Ferraris) can use a hybrid drivetrain to improve vehicle power and performance.

Most of the time, hybrid cars have prices similar to those of the previously mentioned luxury vehicles. The price is enough to scare some people off. However, when you spend a little more money, you get that high performance that gasoline-powered cars cannot match.

Pros of hybrid cars

Now that we’ve established the types of hybrid cars on the market let’s learn about their upsides. There are many reasons to choose a hybrid vehicle over its counterpart. Here’s why you should consider purchasing one when your car has reached the end of its lifespan:

Environmentally friendly compared to gasoline powered vehicles

Gasoline-powered cars are not the best for the environment because of the carbon emissions they release into the air. When you drive them, they send carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases out of their tailpipes. Other pollutants like methane and nitrous oxide can accelerate global warming, hurting Mother Earth even more in the process. Before the gasoline starts powering the engine, it can do harm, so why risk further damage?

However, hybrid cars can use gasoline or electricity as a fuel source. Running your hybrid vehicle solely on gasoline has repercussions, but the electric component helps. That’s because these cars have better fuel economy.

When you buy a hybrid car, you’ll use electricity to power your vehicle, particularly if you choose a plug-in hybrid. Plug-in hybrid vehicles do not have tailpipe emissions, making them a great way to commute without harming the environment. However, you should find out where your source of electricity comes from because fossil fuels still contribute to well-to-wheel emissions.

Spend less money

When you buy a hybrid car, you will save money after your initial investment. How so? Well, for one, you won’t have to drive to the gas station and pay for those high fuel costs. Although it’s difficult to put an exact number on it, you will save a significant amount of money. It comes down to your personal driving habits, how much your hybrid vehicle relies on gas for power and where you live.

For example, plug-in hybrid cars rely less on gas than mild hybrid cars. You should also look into government rebates. In Canada, you can receive a tax credit for purchasing an electric vehicle. This will make the initial costs of your hybrid car seem much less than they are.

Quieter

Hybrid cars have electric motors that reduce the amount of noise they make when starting and driving. In fact, they are so quiet that the United States had to pass laws requiring hybrid and electric vehicles to make a sound when travelling at certain speeds.

No worry about the battery dying

When you drive an electric vehicle, it’s hard to tell how far you’ll be able to go with a battery and an electric motor. Electric cars can only go so far, and finding the nearest charging station can often be a stressful affair. However, this isn’t the case with hybrid vehicles. When the battery runs out of electricity, it will start being powered by gasoline, and it’s much easier to find a gas station once you drive outside of the city.

There are many reasons to purchase a hybrid vehicle over its counterparts. From the benefits of the fuel economy to its environmentally friendly aspect, there’s a reason that they are quickly growing in popularity. Do you think a hybrid would work best for you? Consider exploring your options and making the wise choice of purchasing one today.

Cons of hybrid vehicles

Getting a hybrid vehicle has many positive aspects. However, there are also some cons to purchasing these types of cars. Here’s what you should know before buying a hybrid car:

High upfront costs

Buying hybrids can cost a decent amount of money upfront. The price of a regular hybrid is similar to that of a luxury vehicle. Even if you are leasing your car, the costs can be steep, but making this investment will often lead to long-term savings. Before switching to a hybrid, consider how much money you can pay upfront.

Pricey maintenance

Luckily, hybrid vehicles are fairly low maintenance. However, when they do need repairs or maintenance, you will have to pay more than you would for a vehicle running on a traditional internal combustion engine.

The majority of hybrid car manufacturers offer a warranty on their batteries for up to ten years. They are also usually designed to last a certain amount of kilometres. This number is found in your manual.

Better for city driving

Hybrid cars are good for city driving, but highway driving is a different story. However, the weight of the battery and electric motor can make it challenging to remain at high speeds. Unfortunately, this is a case where gas-powered cars beat them out. These cars are better for stop-and-start traffic because it doesn’t put as much stress on the internal components.

Environmental impact depends on the vehicle

As mentioned earlier, there are many types of hybrid vehicles. Plug-in hybrid vehicles, for example, rely more on electric power than their counterparts and are better for the environment. Where the electricity comes from also matters because fossil fuels can cause serious damage to the environment over time.

Most types of vehicles have downsides. Keep this in mind if you are debating purchasing a hybrid car. After all, your vehicle should meet your needs, and other options, like gas and electric cars, might do the job better. Consider this before spending a large amount of money.

Deciding the type of vehicle that’s right for you

Now that we’ve established the pros and cons of hybrid cars, let’s find out what type of vehicle is right for you. Should you get a gasoline-powered, hybrid or electric car? Let’s talk about the qualities of each one to determine what car best suits your needs. Let’s compare hybrid vs. gas vehicles and hybrid vs. electric vehicles below:

Gasoline powered vehicles

Gas-powered vehicles are still the most common ones you’ll find on the road today. They use gasoline to power their internal combustion engines and are known for their convenience and low prices. The chances are your car will likely use gas power to drive down the road. Let’s talk about how this classic choice can work for some people. Why should you use a gas-powered vehicle? Think about the following reasons:

• Available at affordable prices
• Simple to find at the majority of car dealerships
• Easy to fill up at a gas station
• Lower insurance costs

However, there are pros and cons to having a gasoline-powered vehicle. Here are some of the downsides:

• The price of gasoline can get expensive
• More frequent maintenance and repairs
• Not very environmentally-friendly
• Can’t fill up on fuel at home

Despite their downsides, gasoline-powered cars are still the most popular vehicles on the road. Although they require more fuel, they have lower upfront costs, which makes them more attractive to people looking to save money. Also, although they require more frequent maintenance and repairs, their parts are much more affordable. In contrast, hybrid and electric car maintenance is less frequent.

Hybrid vehicles

Hybrid cars combine a small gasoline engine, electric motor, and battery pack. The electric motor helps power the engine. Over time, it allows the engine to turn off when driving at low speeds to run solely on electric power. Regenerative braking allows these cars to take back the energy that would be lost as a result to recharge the battery pack Here are some reasons to choose a hybrid vehicle:

• Good fuel economy
• Lowers emissions transmitted into the air
• Don’t need to be plugged in to have power
• Have higher power than their gasoline-powered counterparts

However, there are some downsides to choosing this option. You should also consider the following:

• Costs a little more than gas-powered models
• Take longer to stop
• Variable transmission can cause high engine revving
• This can result in a “rubberbanding” sensation when driving

Although they aren’t perfect, hybrid cars are great for many reasons. Consider buying a used hybrid vehicle if you can’t stomach the high upfront costs. It can save you money while reducing your carbon footprint.

Electric vehicles

Choosing a fully electric vehicle is another great idea. Electric cars can do a lot more than their counterparts. They do not use an internal combustion engine or a conventional transmission. Instead, they use an external charging station to keep the vehicle up and running. This can be helpful for a plethora of reasons. Here are some common reasons that people opt for electric vehicles:

• Charging costs less than gasoline and can be done at home
• Costs less to maintain than its counterparts
• No carbon emissions coming from the tailpipe
• The electric motor makes accelerating smooth and easy

However, there are a few things to think about before purchasing electric cars, including:

• Hefty price tag
• Looking for a charging station can cause range anxiety
• Charging takes longer than filling up with gasoline
• Weather can reduce driving range

Electric cars are unique because they rely on a single power source that reduces your carbon footprint. An electric vehicle will not send fumes into the air that accelerate global warming. They have a larger battery than hybrids do, allowing you to drive them further distances at higher speeds. The battery decides how far an electric can go. These and the previously mentioned reasons are why you should consider purchasing one of these cars.

Getting car insurance for a hybrid vehicle

Getting car insurance for a hybrid vehicle is a little different from getting it for its counterparts. However, the process is almost the exact same. You require the same mandatory coverage types as those for gas-powered vehicles.

How do insurance companies calculate your rates? It comes down to the type of engine your vehicle uses. Those using gas-powered engines are calculated differently from those that use a battery pack to take power from an electric motor. Since hybrids work by using a combination of the two, your insurance company will use how you power your vehicle to assess the risk. Other than that, there is no big difference.

Factors that affect insurance rates

Typically, your age, location, claims history and annual mileage are used to calculate your insurance rates. However, additional factors can alter your hybrid car insurance premiums. Here’s what you should know:

Vehicle price

Hybrids cost a bit more than their gasoline-powered counterparts. This means they are more expensive to replace and more costly to insure.

Complex parts

Since hybrid cars use innovative and advanced technology, they are harder to repair and maintain. In other words, if something goes wrong, your insurance might not be able to cover as much.

Clear rating

A clear rating determines the cost of replacement parts for your vehicle. The rate for hybrids is much higher. Additionally, mechanics need more training than usual to work on hybrid cars.

Type, make and model of your hybrid vehicle

As mentioned earlier, four types of hybrid cars are on the market. Some need to be plugged into external charging stations, while others use a combination of gas and electricity to power themselves. For example, Tesla car insurance may cost more as a result of relying more on electricity for power.

Before you purchase your next vehicle, consider your insurance rates. Hybrid cars can keep running even if the battery is completely drained. However, multiple factors come into play when calculating your insurance rates. Ask your provider about the rates for hybrid vehicles today.

Contact BrokerLink to find car insurance for your car today!

Like other types of vehicles, car insurance is mandatory for hybrids in Canada. However, because of the costs of replacement parts, the prices might be higher than usual. That’s why you should ask a BrokerLink Broker to shop around and help you find the right policy at the right price.

We are happy to help you find the mandatory and optional car insurance policies you need before heading out on the road. The most common types of insurance include:

• Third-party liability coverage
• Accident benefits coverage
• Direct compensation - property damage coverage
• Uninsured automobile coverage
• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Accident forgiveness coverage

Are you looking for car insurance for your hybrid car? Luckily, BrokerLink is here to help. Contact us today to find great insurance policies at affordable prices.

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