| | | | | The Battery |
| Hybrid cars are great and have a lot of advantages, | | | | As mentioned above, the batteries in hybrid cars can |
| no doubt about it. Hybrid cars save you gas, therefore | | | | kill theoretically. There are some other issues with the |
| keeping your wallet thick! These cars also have less | | | | battery. Hybrid car manufacturers include warranties to |
| contribution to the greenhouse effect than conventional | | | | cover the batteries for 80,000-100,000 miles. The |
| cars. These are the two biggest pros of a hybrid car. | | | | carmakers also say the car's battery will last forever. |
| But we all know if something has advantages, it has | | | | But what if something unforeseen happens and the |
| disadvantages too! | | | | car's batteries are not under warranty anymore? |
| The Price | | | | Unfortunately batteries cost a fortune! The other |
| The biggest disadvantage of hybrid cars is definitely | | | | problem with the batteries is that it needs to be |
| the price! For instance, the 2008 Toyota Camry costs | | | | recharged at least every second week. So, if you go |
| about $19,000, while the hybrid version costs almost | | | | to vacation you might need to find a "car-sitter" to take |
| $25,000. That is approximately a $6,000 difference, | | | | care of your car. Some hybrid car owners also report |
| which is a lot of money. Another example is the 2008 | | | | problems with the battery in cold weather. |
| Honda Civic with a base price of $15,000, while the | | | | Performance |
| Civic Hybrid is costs $7,000 more. On average, the | | | | No offense, but most hybrid cars are slow! They have |
| hybrid version of a car costs between $2,000 and | | | | slower acceleration and a lower top-speed than |
| $4,000 more than the non- hybrid version. | | | | conventional counterparts. If you are in need for speed, |
| Dangerous in Accidents | | | | hybrid cars won't satisfy your needs! Hybrid cars will |
| Although the electric engine gives you more mileage | | | | make you drive slow, which is actually not a bad thing! |
| and helps you save gas, it can be also dangerous in a | | | | Despite all these drawbacks, hybrid cars are the way |
| collision. Most hybrid cars use metal hydride batteries | | | | to! Car manufacturers are working to eliminate these |
| and the high voltage that they store can be really | | | | disadvantages. I am pretty sure hybrid cars in the near |
| unsafe when the wires are exposed, thus there is a | | | | future will be lighter, safer and provide better |
| chance the driver will get electrocuted when involved | | | | performance! |
| in an accident. | | | | |