What are the disadvantages of a hybrid car compare to a conventional one?

Question

What are the disadvantages of a hybrid car compare to a conventional one?

Answer 1

i been running my diesel truck on vegy oil for years..

Answer 2

From what I've heard,

If something breaks down on it, you cant just take it to a regular mechanic, they more than likely will not have the training to fix it.

You will have to take it to the place from which you bought it, and that in the long run costs more money.

BUT saving the environment is very important, perhaps more important in the long run than money.

Answer 3

they are slow

Answer 4

The biggest disadvantage, in my opinion, is that you are still supporting a product that isn't what you really want.  You are keeping people employed to make products that aren't good enough.  

There were cars made in the early 90's, like the metro, that got 55 mpg, and were deathtraps, why buy one for more money now?  Get an electric car.  If you're like me and can't afford a tesla, get an E-85 compatible chevy S-10 from 2000-2002, and drive it until they make the White Star Tesla, or someone makes a product you DO want.

Feel free to comment on my blog below if you want.

Answer 5

The main disadvantages are the environmental impacts resulting from the manufacturing process, in particular from the manufacture of the batteries.  This raises its head again, when the vehicle has reached the end of its or the batteries life and has to be disposed of.

Yes, you can reduce your emissions from these vehicles, but you need to look at exactly when does the car use its hybrid technology to reduce emissions, is it only under or over a certain idling speed.  From my understanding the Toyota Prius, relies on the electric motor far less than you think, whereas the Honda kicks in more often.  (I don't work for Honda by the way).

There are many small cars that run on both petrol and diesel, that can not only match the hybrid cars for their mpg and emission levels, but some even go further.

Don't get me wrong, these cars are a step in the right direction and are far better than all 4x4s and other large capacity engined vehicles, but they aren't quite the perfect green machines people think they are.

Answer 6

One disadvantage is the "flack" you get from people (Clarksonians) who need to justify  their clean shiny new 4x4 trucks or ferraries & try & give you abuse. and total giberish dumped on it by some of the motoring media - like pictures of big open cast nickle mines in Canada (the prius has NiCd batteries) regardless that most editors probably have more nickle in their stainless steel cuttlery; or claiming the Hummer is more environmentally frindly - it's just amazing that people need to justify themselves in this way

the key point for me as a driver is that Prius is one of the most pleasent cars to drive regarless of technology. (Not as good a a pure electric vehicle, but they are not available).

Smooth power and acceleration at all speeds because of the torque superiority of electric motors over infernal combustion.

ie max torque is available imediatly you floor the accelerator, and there are 2 motors working together.

Petrol consumption especially on long motorway journies may be bettered by some of the new small VWs & Aygos due later this year; but they are not large automatics with cruise and climate control.  Don't expect to get the official mpg, but you should do better than motoring journalists who cannot adapt to new technology. The Prius takes a while to run-in, and it learns and adapts to your driving style and typical journey, so now after 30,000miles I get 55-60mpg.

Servicing has been as cheap as my partner's Yaris.

Purchase price may be slightly higher, but less than big 4x4s and no-one cites that as a disadvantage.

Towing capacity - for some unknown reason the Prius is not tested for EU towing capacity. It has suitable weight distribution, and power.

A little less pickup at highway speeds - not true, see above.

A little more energy is used in production (if you want to get picky) - less than a 4x4 with complex transmission, big tyres ... and again no-one gets "picky" about them.

Other than that the is no operational difference to that of a conventional vehicle - there is a clear supriority of the automatic transmission over most other cars. No grinding starter motor, no "kick-down" or other reving through the gears. Push the button & it's ready to go, flick the dashbord k**b to forward or back and it goes forward or back, great for parking in tight spaces.

Answer 7

Expense of buying.

Answer 8

A hybrid vehicle (HV) is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power or fuel sources such as:

    * An on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a fueled power source (internal combustion engine) for vehicle propulsion

    * Human or sail powered bicycle with battery assist

    * A human-powered or sail boat with electric power

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_cars

hybrid cars use two power source either liquid fuel or batteries.

these innovations were created to address pollution issues and the increase of gasoline or diesel price

those vehicles that can utilize biofuels and the conventional fuel contains flex engine and different from hybrid cars

Answer 9

smug its worse than smog

Answer 10

no power, when you stop at red light or stop sign your air condition quites till you start again.

Answer 11

You pay an extra 5 grand and you save 5 dollars on gas every time you fill up. You also get to use the diamond lanes. Hybrids never pay off.

Unless you are some enviro-wackjob, don't buy one.

Answer 12

Purchase price

Towing capacity

A little less pickup at highway speeds

A little more energy is used in production (if you want to get picky)

Other than that the is no operational difference to that of  a conventional vehicle.

___________

Added Note

0-100kmh (60mph) 10.9 sec Prius

0-100 kmh (60mph) 9.7 sec Corolla (non sport model)

Source Toyota specs

Equates to slightly less acceleration at highway speeds.

These SMALL disadvantages should be taken into account when considering purchase of a hybrid over a standard motor vehicle. As well as the fact that the average 40% reduction in fuel consumption (and pollution),in specification, is not reflected during extended highway operation. (Where a hybrid is not at its best). Most people can expect to average the 40% improvement.

Around town with shorter, stop start trips, well over 40% savings can be achieved.(where a hybrid is at its best)

If you need a passenger vehicle a Hybrid is probably the best choice for the environment on the market at present.

Gee these Prius owners are sentative.

Oh and don't confuse U.S. and U.K Gallons. U.K. gallons are a considerably larger volume.

Answer 13

it would take a lot longer to go long distance...but just think that if we aren't worried about the globe burning up in a few years then we have plenty of time to get around...

for me slower is a good trade off for clean air, water, and the planet be in greater balance...dont you agree...

Answer 14

None, but gas mileage.

But consider this.

You can get a diesel motor to run on vegetable oil or any oil really.

But no, we have to keep using gas.

It's a political war game now.

We need to buy cars and convert them our selves.

Whats with all the thumbs down.

I see yet again I know more than everyone else.

Answer 15

Primarily the cost. I think they are a good thing overall. I also think we will soon see many other cars less expensive like the little diesels and smart cars that will also compete well with them and save a lot of energy.

Some small diesels can get better mileage.

Answer 16

Really for most people's needs, the only disadvantage is the initial price.  However, for many hybrids there's still a tax rebate, and you'll make up the extra initial cost over most cars in gas savings within 5-10 years.

Towing is not really a disadvantage, because you can buy a hybrid SUV if you have towing needs.  Power is not an issue either, as a hybrid has 2 seperate engines with plenty of combined power.  The extra energy used in its production is more than made up for in its energy savings over the lifespan of the car.

Really there's no good reason not to choose a hybrid over a conventional car unless you can't afford the initial higher cost.

Answer 17

The only disadvantage I have found in my Honda Civic Hybred is the trunk space is smaller then a regular car. My husband and I both have owned two since 2002 and both really like them.

Answer 18

Hybrid cars offer many advantages over non hybrid cars.

I am driving a 1985 Mercedes Benz diesel that I have had converted to run on straight vegetable oil (SVO), filtered waste vegetable oil (WVO), biodiesel and petroleum diesel (as a last resort).

The car can also theoretically run on any (other) organic oil(s) such as plant, animal, legume, grain, fish, tall (the oil residue from tree bark and/or trees) and micro algae oil(s).

If I had known years ago that you could drive around a diesel powered car using a renewable, non toxic, biodegradable, much less polluting, 'transportationally benign' energy source, I would have bought a diesel powered car right out of high school.

Hybrid cars are the best alternative for eveyone, hands down, including the oil companies, and they know it.

However, like most large organizations they are unwilling to change the status quo unless their collective hands are forced.

It's economic as much as it is political.

The fight for the planet is on.

Where you draw the line 'transportationally speaking' etc, depends on many factors including but not limited to who/what you side with.

I for one will always try to side with the planet if push comes to shove.

That's why I made the choice to buy an old diesel powered car and have it converted.  

I hope everyone's choice is the one that takes the Earth's natural ecological balance into consideration eventually before it's too late.

Life is a matter of choices.

Let's all make the right choice for the little spec of dust in the Universe that we all call home because it's the only one we have.

Answer 19

just less dependance on oil, but a diesel can be set up to run on veggy oil, so a bio desiel hybrid would be killer!

Answer 20

well if it runs using palm oil then the disadvantages are that the rain Forrest is being cut down killing orangs so how is that environmentally friendly