So far in 2024, EV sales have plummeted. Now, some carmakers are rerouting part of their EV budgets to focus on ICE cars, others are looking for other alternatives, such as hydrogen.
On the other hand, hybrid sales grew five times faster than EV sales in February. Offering the best of both ICE and EV models, such as fuel savings and no range anxiety, we get why people are buying hybrids right now.
That said, there are some dirty truths about hybrid cars that potential buyers should know about.
More Expensive Than Gasoline Models
In general, hybrid cars are more expensive than the gas-only version. That means they may not be the best choice for those operating on a tight budget. That said, hybrids are cheaper to buy than EVs.
Some owners justify the larger price tag by convincing themselves they’ll make that money back through lower fuel consumption. However, in most cases, that’ll take several years before, and if they change cars every two or three years, they’ll take a loss.
Still Relies On Fossil Fuel
Buying a hybrid vehicle to lessen your carbon footprint is possible, but it’s not as straightforward as many think. To do so, you’ll have to rely mostly on battery power, but hybrids don’t have the same battery range as EVs.
If you drive a lot or have to cover long distances in a hybrid, it often means you’ll still be partially reliant on fossil fuel. While that eliminates range anxiety, it also emits C02. Now, factor in the battery manufacturing process, and a hybrid vehicle actually pollutes more than an EV or ICE.
Battery Production
Just like EVs, hybrids rely on lithium-ion batteries. In order to extract the metals needed to produce the batteries, heavy-duty mining equipment is needed. Most environmentally conscious people are aware that mining has a massive impact on nature and the environment.
Producing just one ton of lithium can require a whopping 2.2 million liters of water. Needless to say, that can put a strain on local water supplies, not to mention the potential impact on surrounding communities and ecosystems. To make matters worse, the chemicals used to extract and process the metals will contaminate water sources if they get into the soil and groundwater.
Replacement Batteries are Expensive
EV and hybrid car batteries usually have a warranty for 8–10 years or 100,000–150,000 miles, whichever comes first. That’s not the maximum lifespan, as they can last much longer than that, but they will need to be replaced at some point.
Hybrids have smaller batteries than EVs, but they’re still not cheap. If you need a new battery for a small sedan or hatchback, prices start around the $1,200 mark. For an SUV, batteries can cost well over $3,000. Also, this isn’t something you’ll change at home in the garage, so you need to factor in labor costs as well.
Lack of Battery Recycling
Yes, EV/hybrid car batteries can be recycled as they reach the end of their life cycle, but it’s a complicated and expensive process.
At the moment, few companies are willing to recycle used lithium-ion EV batteries, and there’s not a lot of demand for it either. It’s currently not done on a large enough scale for it to be both cost-effective and have a significant and positive impact on the environment.
Lack of Power and Performance
We’re aware that certain hypercar manufacturers use hybrid technology to maximize performance, but that’s not how regular hybrids are designed to work. Everyday hybrid cars are designed to improve fuel efficiency and commonly use a small gas engine in combination with a small battery and electric motor.
When the added weight of the battery and electric motor is combined with a focus on efficiency and economy, hybrid cars are sometimes slower than their ICE version. More weight also tends to negatively affect handling, making hybrids less nimble and agile.
Potentially Increased Maintenance Costs
When everything works as it should, or if it’s a hybrid vehicle that’s still covered under warranty, maintenance costs are similar to that of an ICE vehicle — which is more than EV maintenance costs.
However, repairs can become very expensive when the hybrid vehicle is no longer covered under warranty! In addition, it can be difficult to find an affordable mechanic who knows how to work on it if you don’t want to use the dealership.
Highway Fuel Economy Suffers
If you mostly drive in the city, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of a hybrid. There, it can run on battery power alone, and even if the ICE unit kicks in, the fuel consumption will be much lower than a traditional ICE car.
Fuel consumption will increase drastically once you take your hybrid on the highway. That’s the exact opposite of what happens in an ICE car. Since the hybrid will now mostly rely on its gas engine, MPG will be comparable to a fuel-efficient ICE car. Since they’re often underpowered and heavier than an ICE car, you may need to work the engine harder, making it thirstier.
Hybrids Aren’t For Everyone
We’re often told that hybrids are a stepping stone to EVs and more environmentally friendly than ICE cars, but that’s not the whole truth. If you keep your cars for several years and mostly drive in city traffic, a hybrid certainly can be a great option.
However, those who only drive shorter distances a couple of times per week may want to avoid paying a premium for a hybrid, and we’ve already mentioned that they’re often not the best choice for those who cover many highway miles. In short, if you want a hybrid to benefit both the environment and your wallet, you’ll have to drive a decent amount of miles, mainly in the city or stop-and-go traffic.
Not as Good for Towing and Hauling
If you need a vehicle that can haul and tow heavy items, you’re better off looking at a vehicle with either gasoline or diesel engines. Even some new EVs, such as the Ford Lightning, Rivian, and Cybertruck, are capable of towing, but the range suffers drastically.
Since hybrids often have smaller, less powerful internal combustion engines, they’re usually not suitable towing vehicles — at least not on a regular basis. For example, the Toyota Prius has a max towing capacity of 1,600 lbs, while the Yaris, with a puny 1.5-liter, can tow just over 2,300 lbs.
Hybrids May Have Higher Insurance Premiums
Since hybrids have higher price tags, are fitted with more technology, and can be more expensive to fix if something breaks, they tend to cost more to insure than a traditional ICE vehicle.
Insurance companies know that higher repair costs translate into increased insurance claims, and to protect themselves, they’ll charge their customers more. Normally, you can expect to pay between 6% and 12% more to insure a hybrid compared to the ICE version of the same car.
Batteries are Temperature-Sensitive
Any extreme temperatures, hot or cold, will negatively affect the batteries used in EVs and hybrids.
When it’s too hot, battery degradation speeds up, and when it gets too cold, the range will be negatively affected. In addition, cold temperatures can also cause slow charging times in PHEVs and EVs, and in hybrids, the batteries may require more time to reach operating temperature — which directly impacts fuel consumption as it’ll be running the gas engine.
Are Hybrids a Flash in the Pan?
Toyota revolutionized the automotive world when it released the Prius in 1997, but a lot has changed since then. Both the EU and some American states want to ban the sales of new ICE vehicles in the near future. Since hybrids rely on an internal combustion engine, they’re included in that ban.
In addition to the ban, manufacturers are now looking at several other options, such as EVs, e-fuels, and hydrogen fuel cells, and we might see one or even all of these being used in the future. Chances are, hybrids may soon be phased out as more efficient vehicles with newer technology emerge.
Author: Andre Nalin
Expertise: Automotive
