What are the down sides to plug-in hybrid cars? Why are people not buying them?

Answer 1

First off, plug-ins and hybrids are two completely different beasts. Plug-ins (such as the now-defunct EV1) operate strictly off a battery. Hybrids (such as Honda Insight or Toyota Prius) have a half-size internal combustion engine that feeds the battery, which in turn powers the electric engine.

Plug-ins have somewhat low range and depend on the network of charging stations. Additionally, charging the battery is a much longer process that filling up a gas tank. All in all, plug-ins are extremely inconvenient.

Hybrids are much more attractive, but the fear is that better fuel economy won't pay for (potentially) higher maintenance costs. Electric drivetrain is a new technology in mass-market automobiles, so if you buy a hybrid, you are tied to your dealership for maintenance and repair; there isn't a whole lot of independent mechanics trained in this line of work...

Answer 2

People are not buying them because they a not generally available. Car manufactures believe, maybe for good reasons, that people will assume that if you can plug it in to recharge the battery that it is an all battery driven car with a limited driving range. You can get a hybrid modified so you can plug it in, but it is custom work and therefore expensive. The up side is that in time of gas shortages and high prices you could reduce you gas usage to almost none, which would save you money and help relieve the shortage. If enough people owned plug in hybrids it could insulate the country from oil shocks.

Answer 3

plug-in hybrids are an unproven technology. They also have severe limitations on speed, distance, and power. As battery technology improves hybrid cars may gain popularity with the masses. until then most people won't give up the convenience of gasoline vehicles

Answer 4

They cost too much for most people. Battery recharging stations are not available to people in many cities. Hybrids use a fuel not available just anywhere.

Answer 5

5 years ago it was tried. The cars were always dying on the road. Besides, most electricity in the US is created using coal-fired plants, which pollute the air and water.