Alternative engines in vehicles have been produced by the automotive industry to address the issue of the diminishing natural oil reserves and the continual degradation of the environment. Eco-friendly vehicles like electric and hybrid vehicles have become the most popular non-pollutant vehicles to arrive in the market.
Environmental and consumer advantages of hybrid vehicles
Consumers who are pursuing a more eco-friendly lifestyle choose hybrid vehicles because:
- Hybrid vehicles are more energy and fuel-efficient than fuel-powered vehicles
Hybrid vehicles use two or more distinct power sources: an electric engine and a petrol engine. Marinescu & Oţăt (2010) explained that an electric powered engine works when the car has start-up and it has lower speed. On the other hand, the classic engines begin working at higher speeds. The Prius and Civic Hybrid which are models of hybrid vehicles have high fuel efficiency and produce less carbon dioxide emissions as compared to regular vehicles (Fenn, 2012). Hybrids run for 48-60 miles per gallon (HealthResearchFunding.org, 2014).
- Hybrid vehicles also have lower CO2 emissions
Much praise has been given to hybrid vehicles for their eco-friendly nature because of their reduced CO2 emissions. Hybrid cars have this capacity due to its second electric battery powered engine that recharges through the petrol engine. Fenn (2012) reported in her paper that a hybrid car can lessen the carbon dioxide emissions as compared to regular cars by 25-35%.
- Car technology advancements equipped in hybrid vehicles makes for better performance
Advancements in car technology have given hybrid cars a more improved performance. Details like automatic engine stop when the car is on standstill, regenerative braking, wherein the battery recharges a little every time you brake, a smaller and lighter engine which uses less fuel, and the overall lighter weight and aerodynamic design of hybrid cars all accumulate to less energy use and more cost-effective functions (Brahmachari, 2010). Dowd, in a review of a Toyota Prius hybrid car, states that hybrid cars can “enter a highway from a dead stop to highway speed in acceptable time -- zero to 40 mph. done in about 6 seconds.” (Dowd, 2013)
Consumer disadvantages of hybrid vehicles
In spite of the many advancements of hybrid vehicles as compared to fuel-engine ones, the pick-up of hybrid cars on the market has been slower than most environmentalists expected (Fenn, 2012) because of the lack of consumer-awareness and because of its differences from regular fuel-powered vehicles.
- Hybrid vehicles are more costly
Maintenance and the overall cost of the vehicle are higher because of the complex machinery. It takes several years of gas saving to make up for the initial cost of a hybrid car. Hybrid vehicles’ parts are also hard to find. Hybrid batteries cost several thousand dollars to replace. (Complaints Board, 2014) However, hybrid cars have lower running costs than average cars and have a longer guarantee and warrantee.
- Hybrid cars are not very suitable for town driving
Mileage claims of hybrid vehicles only apply to driving in flat roads and not to hilly areas. (Complaints Board, 2014) When driving uphill, the meter would sometimes jump to 100 miles per gallon because the tendency is to accelerate. Dowd (2013) suggests that better knowledge in hybrid car driving can gain an average of 51.4 miles per gallon if you do not accelerate when driving uphill and letting the car coast when going downhill.
- Lower maximum carrying capacity
A five-passenger hybrid car can only carry less than 800 pounds which is a disadvantage for family commuters who like to drive long distances. (Dowd, 2013).
- Safety issues with a quiet-running engine
Hybrid cars are quiet. They do not have the cranking and rumbling noise that fuel-powered cars have. While this is an advantage for some hybrid car owners, debating that this is silence is gives a satisfying driving experience (Dowd, 2013), criticisms have been made over its safety for pedestrians because even at low speeds, hybrid cars do not make a noise that will inform pedestrians that a car is heading towards them.
References
Brahmachari, R. (2010). Hybrid Cars. [Presentation]. Paper presented at the Indo German Winter Academy 2010. Roorkie, India. Retrieved from http://www.leb.eei.uni-erlangen.de/winterakademie/2010/report/content/course03/pdf/0308.pdf
Complaints Board. (2014) “Is a Hybrid Car Right for You?”. [Web log]. Complaints Board. Retrieved from http://www.complaintsboard.com/articles/is-a-hybrid-car-right-for-you.html
Dowd, T.D. (2000) “Living with a Toyota Prius hybrid car”. [Web log]. A Car Place. Retrieved from http://www.acarplace.com/cars/hybrid-prius.html
Fenn, K. (2012, September 18). “Hybrid Vehicles – Advantages and Disadvantages”. [Web log]. Prevent Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.preventclimatechange.co.uk/hybrid-vehicles.html
Health Research Funding. (2012). Pros and Cons of Hybrid Cars. Retrieved from http://healthresearchfunding.org/pros-cons-hybrid-cars/
Marinescu, G. C. & Oţăt, O. V. (2010) Alternative Engines – Advantages and Drawbacks for the Environment. FISITA, 8. http://www.fisita.com/education/congress/sc10/fisita2010scp08.pdf
