HYBRIDS EXPOSED: THE TRUTH ABOUT ECO-FRIENDLY VEHICLES
Posted by Zane Winberg on
It has been nothing short of amazing to see the diversity and wide range of options that have expanded across the car market in recent years.
Since the development of hybrid automobile technology, we are seeing innovation impact the design and function of nearly every car on the market - even those that don’t use the hybrid technology per se.
It’s a whole new world of cars, energy, and environment. But what does it mean?
If you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who has made the switch to some type of eco-friendly vehicle - you’ve probably heard about it.
It’s an interesting topic of conversation and those who have made the switch usually like to talk all about it.
They’ll share stories about tiny maintenance and gas budgets.
They’ll praise features like quiet volume, weeks between fill-ups, soaring miles per gallon, and environmental benefits.
And while these are all true and definitely impressive, there are still some important facts and downsides to driving a hybrid.
<H3>Exposed Hybrid Truths</H3>
One of the biggest complaints about eco-friendly vehicles is that the price point has yet to solidify.
While the auto industry does seem to be bringing down the price of hybrid cars, usually the price of a hybrid car compared to a similarly sized and designed traditional combustion engine car is significantly higher.
Dealerships will tell you that there are rebates and incentives and that you’ll save more on gas and maintenance to offset the cost, but it’s still a big factor for many families.
Another thing to consider with hybrid cars is that they simply don’t work for everyone.
They have been shown to be less effective in cold temperatures, and are usually less equipped to handle extreme road and weather conditions.
If you live somewhere like Utah, you may enjoy your hybrid for most of the year, but dread leaving your garage during our formidable winters.
<H3>THE SIZE PROBLEM</H3>
Also a Utah issue for many people - size.
Usually, these hybrid vehicles are small and efficient, so they work great for individuals or couples, but aren’t designed for families.
If you have more than 2-3 family members and need to drive around people and gear - hybrids are just out of the question in most cases.
Finally, while they are making progress for us on the “go green” initiative, the production of hybrid cars still produces a significant amount of pollution and waste.
Of course, that pollution and waste are coming down, as with any type of pollution and waste in any manufacturing.
We’re working hard to eliminate our footprint with the help of scientists and engineers worldwide.
But it still needs to be considered that these “eco-friendly” cars still damage the environment, too.
A hybrid can be an excellent vehicle and the perfect choice for you or your family.
It is just important to be aware of all the factors surrounding a hybrid before making that leap.
Since the development of hybrid automobile technology, we are seeing innovation impact the design and function of nearly every car on the market - even those that don’t use the hybrid technology per se.
It’s a whole new world of cars, energy, and environment. But what does it mean?
If you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who has made the switch to some type of eco-friendly vehicle - you’ve probably heard about it.
It’s an interesting topic of conversation and those who have made the switch usually like to talk all about it.
They’ll share stories about tiny maintenance and gas budgets.
They’ll praise features like quiet volume, weeks between fill-ups, soaring miles per gallon, and environmental benefits.
And while these are all true and definitely impressive, there are still some important facts and downsides to driving a hybrid.
<H3>Exposed Hybrid Truths</H3>
One of the biggest complaints about eco-friendly vehicles is that the price point has yet to solidify.
While the auto industry does seem to be bringing down the price of hybrid cars, usually the price of a hybrid car compared to a similarly sized and designed traditional combustion engine car is significantly higher.
Dealerships will tell you that there are rebates and incentives and that you’ll save more on gas and maintenance to offset the cost, but it’s still a big factor for many families.
Another thing to consider with hybrid cars is that they simply don’t work for everyone.
They have been shown to be less effective in cold temperatures, and are usually less equipped to handle extreme road and weather conditions.
If you live somewhere like Utah, you may enjoy your hybrid for most of the year, but dread leaving your garage during our formidable winters.
<H3>THE SIZE PROBLEM</H3>
Also a Utah issue for many people - size.
Usually, these hybrid vehicles are small and efficient, so they work great for individuals or couples, but aren’t designed for families.
If you have more than 2-3 family members and need to drive around people and gear - hybrids are just out of the question in most cases.
Finally, while they are making progress for us on the “go green” initiative, the production of hybrid cars still produces a significant amount of pollution and waste.
Of course, that pollution and waste are coming down, as with any type of pollution and waste in any manufacturing.
We’re working hard to eliminate our footprint with the help of scientists and engineers worldwide.
But it still needs to be considered that these “eco-friendly” cars still damage the environment, too.
A hybrid can be an excellent vehicle and the perfect choice for you or your family.
It is just important to be aware of all the factors surrounding a hybrid before making that leap.