Top 4 Disadvantages Of Hybrid Vehicles

While hybrid vehicles offer several advantages, they also have some disadvantages and limitations that potential buyers should consider. Here are some of the disadvantages of hybrid vehicles:

Higher Purchasing Cost And Complex Hybrid Technology

Due to their complex nature, hybrid vehicles are considerably more expensive than their traditional counterparts.

In addition to all the technology that is commonly installed in a conventional car, hybrid vehicles feature include:

• Electric motor(s)
• Large battery pack
• Gear mechanisms that complement the necessities of transferring power from internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric motors to the wheels
• Substantial additional wiring
• Enhanced cooling system
• Considerably more complex central computer system.

Apart from increasing the overall purchasing cost, added technology in a hybrid car can affect maintenance costs. To be specific, the maintenance might end up being surprisingly pricey if the hybrid system elements sustain any damage.

Although car manufacturers offer comprehensive warranties for the hybrid parts (including the battery), with coverage for seven or more years, buying a used hybrid vehicle still represents a particular risk.

For example, replacing the damaged or worn out battery can reach $6,000 outside warranty (depending on the vehicle and type of the battery).

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Performance

Outside some high-performance exceptions such as the McLaren P1, Honda NSX, or the Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid Turbo S, hybrid cars are usually formed with one task in mind: improving fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions.

This usually puts the designers and engineers in a position to shape each part of the hybrid car to meet these goals.

In short, hybrid vehicles sport low friction tires, a more efficient air-con system, a lower state of tune for the internal combustion engine  (ICE), and a transmission precisely tailored for achieving the best possible fuel efficiency.

With the higher mass, these solutions affect the overall vehicle performance. In reality, a hybrid vehicle will be slower compared to its equally powerful ICE contemporaries.

Fuel Economy On The Open Roads Or Highway

According to a study by Carnegie Mellon University in 2013, hybrids do not make a lot of sense if your commute includes long highway driving stints.

According to the survey, hybrid cars driven on the highways do the same damage to the environment as conventionally powered vehicles. On the other hand, hybrids do indeed release fewer pollutants in city traffic.

Diminished Hybrid Fuel Efficiency In Cold Weather

In colder temperatures, hybrid batteries need more time to reach operating temperature. That means that the chemical reaction inside the batteries that releases energy to the electric motor reaches its peak performance much slower compared to batteries in warm weather.

Simultaneously, the internal combustion motor has to provide more energy released by the fuel combustion process, which is the main reason for the increased fuel consumption of hybrid vehicles in cold weather.

Summary

Hybrid vehicles work best in cities and warmer temperatures. Their level of complexity, added weight, and its high cost of purchase imposes a disadvantages, although high fuel efficiency while driving in the cities can offset these disadvantages.

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