ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HYBRID CARS

There are many advantages of driving a hybrid car when compared to a petrol or diesel car, so it’s no surprise that their popularity has grown massively in recent years.

Hybrid owners enjoy better fuel economy, helping them save money, and can see their driving has less impact on the environment.

However, while there are plenty of advantages to driving a hybrid, it’s important to consider whether it’s the right move for you. Hybrids may not suit everyone’s lifestyle. On this page, we explore the pros and cons of hybrids to help you make a more informed decision.​​​​

ADVANTAGES OF A HYBRID CAR

Buying a hybrid isn’t about being more eco-friendly. There are many other points that you should consider. We have picked out just a few of the biggest pros of hybrid vehicles below:

IMPROVED FUEL ECONOMY

Hybrids use two power sources. By sharing the load with an electric motor, the engine in a hybrid car uses less fuel to run than a traditional car.

This means a full tank will go further, lowering your running costs. For example, the Honda HR-V hybrid can travel up to 459 miles on its 40L full tank*.

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​LOWER EMISSIONS

The big advantage of hybrid cars to the environment is that they produce lower emissions than a regular fuel-powered vehicles. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, including methane and nitrous oxide, are emitted on a far grander scale from the exhausts of traditional cars.

Test results vary, but the average petrol or diesel car emits between 39 and 41 tonnes of CO2 in its lifetime. Hybrids typically emit approximately 33 tonnes. 

Less reliance on charging points

You won’t need to be concerned with finding a charging station before your car runs out of power if you are driving a hybrid. A self-charging full hybrid will charge itself as you drive, whereas a plug-in hybrid will switch to using the engine power until you can plug in.

Hybrid cars also use a clever process called regenerative braking to charge the battery, recycling energy created while braking to partially recharge the battery.

Dual advantages of electric and petrol power

Hybrid cars offer a great combination of petrol and electric benefits. Electric power provides quiet, zero-emission running at city speeds. While at higher speeds and on longer journeys, hybrids utilise the power of a traditional petrol engine alongside the electric motor, meaning they can be quickly refuelled at a petrol station without waiting for the car to charge.

Less maintenance required 

As hybrids use electric power at slower speeds, there’s less wear and tear on the engine, which means they may need less maintenance than conventional cars.

The brakes last longer, too. They don’t have to work as hard because the regenerative braking system helps to slow the car down gradually.

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WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF A HYBRID CAR?

While hybrid cars offer a huge number of advantages over petrol or diesel vehicles, there are still some potential disadvantages of owning a hybrid car. 

Less horsepower

While most drivers choose a hybrid for its fuel economy and emissions, one disadvantage of hybrids is that they may not possess the same overall horsepower as a traditional car.

Because power is shared between a smaller engine and the electric battery in a hybrid, it means some hybrids pack less of a punch and offer lower acceleration than petrol or diesel equivalents.

More expensive to buy

Hybrid cars may be cheaper to run, thanks to their improved fuel economy, but they are also more expensive to buy initially. Due to the complex nature of their powertrain and advanced technology, hybrid prices are typically higher than comparable petrol or diesel cars.

Second-hand buyers may also find this to be true, thanks to the fact that hybrids hold their value better after they leave the dealership.

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Maintenance costs

Generally speaking, hybrids shouldn’t cost more to maintain than the average car. However, specialist mechanics with hybrid experience can often be harder to find, which can make them more expensive. At Honda, our service costs don’t change from vehicle to vehicle and we continue to grow our team of expert mechanics across Europe.

Hybrid batteries can also cost more to replace than a standard car battery. However, you shouldn’t need to replace these too often, as most manufacturers generally offer a 5 year or 100,000 km warranty on them.​

Should I buy a hybrid car?

If you’re not ready to commit to a fully electric car, a hybrid is the perfect compromise. It offers you many advantages of electric power, without the need to change how you drive or worry about finding a charging point. 

While some hybrid cars may not deliver the same performance as a traditional car, Honda’s e: HEV hybrid technology delivers a responsive drive while delivering greater fuel economy and lower emissions.​​

How do hybrid cars work?

A hybrid (HEV) is powered by an electric motor and a combustion engine, either working separately or together. Two energy sources mean lower exhaust emissions than conventional cars. And hybrids can be cheaper to run as they use less fuel.

The different types of hybrid car

Hybrid systems vary by manufacturer. This is a general guide to the three main types of hybrid and how they function.

Mild hybrid (MHEV) Self-charging

The engine always powers the car, assisted by a powerful electric battery, e.g. when accelerating. This boost from the battery reduces the engine's workload.

Energy is otherwise lost when braking is used to recharge the battery.

Mild hybrids are the simplest type of hybrid, so their fuel economy and exhaust emissions are inferior in most situations.

Full hybrid (FHEV) Self-charging

Full hybrids run on electric power over short distances — the battery takes over from the combustion engine. This lowers fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

The electric motor sources energy from either the battery or the engine. As with a mild hybrid, full hybrids self-charge by harnessing energy otherwise lost while braking or driving.

​Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Plug-in and self-charging

Plug-ins take full hybrid technology a stage further – they self-charge but can also be recharged from an external electricity supply.

Their larger batteries mean PHEVs have a longer all-electric range than a full hybrid. But they also cost more to buy.

What is a self-charging hybrid?

Full and mild hybrid models are self-charging. Their batteries are charged using energy created by the combustion engine.

There is no need to plug them in, so you’ll never have to worry about finding or installing a charging station.

Hybrids also recharge themselves through a process called regenerative braking. The car’s kinetic energy — that would otherwise be lost — charges the battery.

A plug-in hybrid can also self-charge. But to be worthwhile, it requires a dedicated mains supply.

On a short journey, in light traffic at modest speeds, and with a light load, a plug-in hybrid could be powered entirely by the battery.

What’s the difference between a hybrid and an ordinary car?

Electric power.

Hybrids use an electric motor to either boost the conventional engine (mild hybrids only) or instead of the engine for short distances. This results in better fuel economy and lower emissions than a conventional car.

What’s the difference between hybrids and electric cars?

An electric vehicle (EV) is powered solely by electricity. It has no combustion engine.
EVs require a mains electricity supply. Unless you have a rapid charger, a full charge can take many hours.
Driving an EV produces no exhaust emissions. However, generating electricity for the power grid does create CO2 emissions

A key difference between EVs and hybrids is that once an EV runs out of charge, it cannot be driven.
As hybrids use two energy sources, there’s no “range anxiety” – the modern phenomena EV drivers face when trying to reach a charging point before their car runs out of juice.

The battery of a hybrid car

Hybrid batteries are made from lithium-ion, a material designed to absorb and store energy quickly.

A full hybrid has a larger battery than a mild hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid has the most powerful battery of the three — and also the heaviest.

The bigger the battery the heavier the car.

Energy from the combustion engine recharges the battery, along with regenerative braking.

A plug-in hybrid can be also recharged from the mains, at home, at work or at a public charging station.

How long does a hybrid battery last?

A hybrid battery is designed to last for the full lifespan of the car. So the battery shouldn’t need replacing in new or good-quality used cars.

​For more information contact one of our team members today.​