Indeed, the difference in average annual fuel bills - $405 for a Honda Insight versus $635 for a Honda Civic - means you may never recoup the added initial cost of a hybrid. But, when comparing prices - hybrids cost from $19,000 to $25,000 and gas saver cars cost $14,000 to $17,000 - the justification to buy becomes less clear. Not bad, but only about 20% to 35% better than a fuel efficient gasoline powered vehicle - like the Honda Civic, for example, that gets 36 mpg. Hybrids are the most gasoline efficient of all cars - they typically get 48 to 60 mpg (claimed). So owners of hybrids can expect more time in the shop and larger repair bills. While cars and, just as importantly, the computers that control them, have become more reliable, they still suffer from failures. Still, you can carry a gas can a half mile while a tow truck is necessary in a straight electric car.Īll of these systems must work together, adding complexity. Of course, if you forget to fill the tank….

Hybrid owners can forget about this annoyance the gas motors starts automatically when the battery gets low and proceeds to charge the battery - a hybrid never needs to be plugged into an outlet.

Many an electric car owner has been stranded just out extension cord range of an outlet. At higher speeds - above 40 mph - the gas motor kicks in and gives that peppy feel so many car owners look for when driving on the highway.Īnother benefit of having the gas motor is it charges the batteries while it’s running. That means during rush hour stop and go driving, the electric motor works great and, as an added benefit, does not produce any exhaust thus reducing smog levels. Gas motors do better at high speeds and can deliver more power for a given motor weight. Specifically, electric motors use no energy during idle - they turn off - and use less than gas motors at low speeds. The reason for two motors is in the strengths and weaknesses of both types. This is a hard question and, in the minds of some experts, not fully answered.

This is the main reason many boat owners prefer one motor instead of the “double trouble” of two - despite the obvious safety advantages. Why a hybrid? Why not a straight gas or electric powered car? After all, one of the basic rules of science is the more complex the system - two motors instead on one - the more often it will break down. It also has a special system to capture braking energy to store in an onboard battery. First off: What is a hybrid car? Basically, it’s a normal, fuel efficient car that has two motors - an electric motor and a gasoline powered motor.

Electric and hybrid cars information