Hybrid Car Myth #3: 

"The batteries only last a couple years at the most.  Then you've gotta buy thousands of dollars worth of new batteries." 

The standard warranty on hybrid batteries usually runs between 80,000 and 100,000 miles.  Great advances in battery technology since 2000 have raised the life expectancy to a respectable level in 2007.  Taxi services using hybrid-only cars are springing up everywhere....now that should raise the eyebrows of hybrid naysayers.  The warranty for battery life may be at 100,000 miles, however, taxi services are seeing 200,000 to 300,000 miles with absolutely no degradation in battery performance. 

The key to this long battery life lies in "smart charging" where the electronic charging computer will not let the battery get charged above around 60% of capacity, nor let it drop below 40% of its capacity.  This allows the new NIMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries to run practically forever. 

That being said, battery technology remains the main area for the greatest advances in hybrid car technology yet to come.  Lighter batteries that hold longer charges and put out higher power is the dream of every hybrid engineering company.  Battery technology is where hybrids stand to gain the most benefit.

If the batteries do need replacing, they will cost between $1700 - $3000, not $10,000+ like many folks say.

Hybrid Car Myth #4:
 
"Hybrids are only a fad."

I think the taxi cab testimonial from above answers this one. 

As a matter of fact, according to E. Friedman-- fleet manager for 3 large taxi companies in New York City--100% of New York City taxi cabs will be hybrid vehicles by 2010 to 2015. He said, "You have to understand the hit that cabbies are taking.  A single shift can cost them $100 in gas.  The ones that drive hybrids are saving $25 per shift."  

So, figuring a 5-day workweek (most cabbies work longer, though) the savings add up to $625 per month.  This goes straight into their pockets.  25% fuel savings does add up quickly!

Hybrid Car Myth #5: 

"Hybrids won't last as long as other cars." 

In fact, hybrids are outlasting conventional motor vehicles.  Some of them by a long shot.
The track record of the new hybrids are proving that myth false.  Battery life is practically a non-issue, and regenerative braking makes the brakes last longer. (Apparently, the high-tech regenerative braking hardware itself is robust and reliable--otherwise, if just the cheap brake pads lasted but the regenerative brake hardware didn't--then brake maintenance would indeed be expensive.) 

Add to this the fact that the gasoline engines of hybrids are showing much less wear and tear on them after mileage that would send a gasoline engine-only car into its death throes.  This is because the engines are helped out all day by the electric power system--which will last practically forever on its own.

<< Previous    1  [2]  3  4    Next >>