Are hybrid cars a bit of a con?

Question

apparently, the damage done in their manufacture i.e. batteries, is tremendous compared to a regular car. in addition, their MPG is no better then some of the new diesel engines.

thoughts?

Answer 1

Yes.  If you are really interested, In the October 2002 issue of "Scientific American" they have an article called "Green-washing the car."  Basically it says that for mixed highway and city driving, hybrid cars do nothing.  So you can look that up or take my word for it.

Answer 2

To answer your question, absolutely not. Their are different types of hybrids, for example, cars that run on electric or water.

Research does show that cars can now run on water. Well at least 60% water and the rest gas or diesel. You can easily convert your existing car to use water as a means of fuel and studies showed that you can get as much as 70% gas cost savings.

Read the water conversion kit reviews at http://www.TheH2OCar.com/review

Answer 3

batteries cost $5,000!!! that **** is a con.

Answer 4

It depends what you take as a con...

For people who want to help the environment and use less gas, it isn't a con. They do use less gas than non-hybrid cars.

For people who want to actually save money on gas, it is a HUGE con. The extra cost to buy a hybrid car almost never amounts to the savings in gas, but if gas prices keep rising for a year, people may start seeing savings.

Answer 5

Well, a test was conducted on BBC Top Gear, the Toyota Prius/ Pruis, uses More fuel than a BMW.

Jeremy Clarkson said don't change the car, change the way you drive it. I'm sure all Instructors would agree there.

Answer 6

Yes in fact they are. Their ok when new. After they get 15,000 miles on them and take on "real world" driving, they get no better than a Honda Civic or Toyota Camery. Diesels will consistently turn over great MPG for up to 200,000 miles or more.

I'm glad some else is catching on. They can't be very fun to drive either....

Answer 7

Exactly!  and take into account the way that the Toyata Prius can mow-down pedestrians in it's deadly-silent manner at up to 22 miles per hour in town (precisely where you want a car to make some noise!), the poor economy (just over 40 miles per gallon) and the fact that when the warning light shows to indicate the battery is no longer serviceable, you have to pretty much walk away from the car or spend thousands on it, you realise that a lighter car with a more efficient engine would be a far better idea than carrying around a huge dead weight of battery and heavy motors!

Answer 8

It depends upon your perspective.  No, they are not an economical alternative to gasoline powered cars today, especially if you consider their initial cost; however, if you are dedicated (meaning - willing to pay for) to a cleaner environment, they will perform as advertised.

Answer 9

watch the episode smug alert from season 10 of south park it's about hybrids, and you'll laugh your as$ off. can do so at http://www.southparkstudios.com/

Answer 10

Anything like that is targeted at the tree hugging brigade that so want to believe that they are saving the planet by driving some styleless, "hybrid" car.  They are overpriced but hey, when you are saving the planet, why let the price hold you back.  I would imagine that the manufacture is just as polluting as any other car.  People who buy things like that always make me laugh - it's rather like the eco warriers that only eat "organic" food - you know the stuff, strawberries flown all the way in from Egypt when you could by them from Hampshire - but the Hampshire ones aren't organic!  They are the biggest hypocrites.

Answer 11

No, I think they're a great invention.

It only helps the community.

Answer 12

car makers still havent gotten the kinks out of the hybrid tech so dont go for it

Answer 13

In terms of using less fuel, then no it's not a con - if you're worried about the rising price of petrol, then it's a good idea.

However, it's label as the "environmentally friendly" car IS a con. The manufacture of all the specialised parts takes place all over the world, meaning that the impact of its construction on the environment is actually FAR worse than a standard car.

Answer 14

Some hybrids barely get 3 mpg more than the non hybrid version.

THAT IS A CON.

===

But most FULL Hybrids can get another 10mpg to 20 mpg (or more).

Good Luck....

Answer 15

Prius  35 mpg if you are lucky! , VW,  Peugeot , Citroen,  Fiat,  Ford & numerous Far East diesels  proven at over 50 mpg (imperial, not US gallons),  in all driving conditions, so a Massive con. Fewer emissions from the diesel as well. But if you live in London you do not have to pay the "CON"gestion charge in a Hybrid - even the Lexus 4x4!!!

Answer 16

What you have said is true.  Add to that that the additional costs of the hybrid as opposed to a regular car would buy a lot of fuel, and it would take many years to break even.  But you do get bragging rights.  "Look how concerned with the environment I am.  Look how green I am!"  I just wonder what the life of the batteries will be, and what impact the disposal of the old ones will have on the environment.

Answer 17

Buy one for $20000+ just to save $5000 on gas - yes con