Without a doubt when you are comparison-shopping for a new car, many factors need to be considered. For instance, things like fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, overall cost, and, in the case of the hybrid vehicle, tax breaks. Taking all of these factors into account together with environmental friendliness, Hybrid cars are a clear winner over regular cars.
Most Hybrid cars average between 33 and 60 miles per gallon during city driving and between 27 and 68 miles per gallon in highway driving. These figures represent some of the best EPA figures known to the car industry. Averaged into these figures are Hybrid SUVs, but for the most part smaller, compact cars and sedans get a high number of miles per gallon compared …show more content…
There is, however, cause to believe that the overall cost of maintaining your Hybrid may be equal to or less than maintaining a conventional car. Currently, the maintenance costs for a Hybrid versus a conventional gas-powered vehicle are nominal. In fact, engine wear may turn out to be less for a Hybrid due to its ability to shut itself down during idling. This will create less wear on the engine. This is especially favorable for city drivers. However, it remains true for drivers in any environment, city, suburb or country. The other bonus feature a Hybrid has that a conventional gas-powered vehicle does not have is its braking system. In a Hybrid, when slowing to a stop, the electric motor slows the vehicle taking much of the strain off the braking system. To sum up, engine use and brake use is less in a Hybrid as compared to a gas-only powered conventional car. These two factors weigh in on the maintenance list when comparison-shopping or simply when owning a Hybrid car or Hybrid SUV. The one component to be most concerned with when owning a Hybrid is the life of the battery. Keeping in mind that the battery provides life to the electric motor, the battery is an essential piece of the puzzle and one third of the three main components of the power sources in a Hybrid vehicle. The battery is constantly drained and recharged by the electric motor. Although replacement of the battery is a necessary