Why aren't Hybrids used more often?

Question

Hybrids have proven to not only be better for the environment, but help cut down on the use of gas. With all of these things proven, why aren't they being used more often? It's not only hard to find a variety of these vehicles, but it's also hard to find a mechanic who will work on a Hybrid. Why aren't these vehicles being produced more often and pushed by society?

If Hybrids are only good for in town driving or traffic driving-they would be perfect for most cities where people drive in rush hour traffic to and from work.

Answer 1

Expensive technology...give it time, it'll catch on.

Answer 2

My dealership has sold one hybrid Escape in the past two years. Why? Because the hybrid gets WORSE fuel mileage on the highway when compared to the base gasoline model Escape. If you do not do strictly in-town driving, the hybrid is a waste of money here. Once you get on the highway, the gasoline engine takes over and you are burning just as much fuel as everyone else. No person in Anytown, USA is going to get a benefit from using a hybrid that an economical gasoline vehicle cannot duplicate for less cost. The initial expense of buying does not get a return, plus the battery replacement in ten years time will cost more than the vehicle is worth. If you want to make progress, there should be a vehicle in production that is totally electric with a self-replenishing/recharging power supply, end of story.

Answer 3

For one, the technology is relatively new. Your question is like asking why everyone doesn't have a flat screen television. Eventually most folks will.

Secondly, the tech uses less gasoline, but nobody has figured out what effect all the spent batteries will eventually have on the environment. You're basically temporarily trading one evil for another.

This reminds me of the onset of electricity. Everyone thought that this was awesome and would reduce pollution. Little did they know the coal they were using to fire the generators was causing more damage than the wood burning stoves they were using for cooking and heating or the oil they were using for light.

Third, there really isn't any money in it, and the auto companies are in business to make money, not to make a pretty planet.

I'm still waiting for the proof that hybrids are better. I think we have yet to see beyond the vail, and our children will pay for our lack of forethought.

Answer 4

Actually, hybrids are being used quite a bit and produced at an ever- increasing rate in response to demand. But why not even moreso? There's several reasons. One is that they are more expensive then conventional autos. Much of the demand comes from the promise of saving money on gas but then that savings just gets dumped into the cost of the car itself. Certainly the price will come down as manufacturers find ways to produce them more efficiently but they'll still remain more expensive as there's more parts in there. Also, they won't be much of a help to everyone. The electric engine tends to run under 25 MPH and the gas engine for higher speeds. If you're involved in a lot of traffic jams the electric motor will be used a lot and you'll save a lot of gas. But for those who drive a lot on highways or don't get caught in many jams (knock on wood) there isn't nearly as much gas savings and perhaps not enough to justify the cost. And, with twice as many motors there's twice as many things to break down and maintain. For me personally I'm better off (and it's more ecologically efficient) just getting a smallish conventional car with a high MPG.

Answer 5

Hybrids are a JOKE!!! (underline this and imagine it in flashy hot pink Neon) The added expense will EASILY pay for any additional fuel needed over the entire lifespan of the vehicle (and then some) The extra manufacturing processes to produce the additional equipement to make it a hybrid comes close to evening out the OVERALL pollution impact. and the MAIN factor being in 5-10 years when these battery packs start failing and being replaced they will be adding to the battery dispposal problem 10 fold that of a normal car. Battery's Qualify as TOXIC WASTE BTW!!!!! just what we need more of

Answer 6

Well, they are NOT the deal, that environmentalists would have one believe. Several studies, commissioned not only by the gov't, but also media, and consumer orgs. have shown they cost up to 5 times as much to operate per mile, as a "conventional" car.
Also, in the US at least, they just aren't that practical for the typical driving done here. Average commute distances, and greater space between homes,shopping and services are several times greater in the US than Europe, or especially Japan (where hybrids are very popular.) A better long term solution is implementing what some US cities are going (back) to: light rail/tram systems.;

Answer 7

It's very simple. Actions speak louder than words. No matter how much people wail and whine about this "global warming" thing, and air pollution and wasteful use of gas, etc., when it comes down to doing something about it, NO WAY. They want their SUV's, sports cars, pickup trucks, and other gas-guzzling automobiles, and to hell with actually doing something about what they wail and whine about. It's too much effort for them. They want to travel 70 and 80 mph instead of 55, and they want to take off fast at the green light or stop sign, and they want to race through traffic as though it were the Indy 500 or a NASCAR race. So, it seems people like to talk about all these environmental things, but not really do anything about them. You can get very gas-miserly cars without going to hybrids, but as one who has owned gas-miserly cars since 1974 when I bought my first Honda Civic and got 37.5mpg, to my 1981 VW Rabbit diesel 5-speed that got 57 (yes, I said 57)mpg to my new VW Jetta TDI that gets 47 mpg, I can tell you that the overwhelming majority of Americans don't care one lick about all these "issues" when it comes down to actually doing something about them. God Bless you.

Answer 8

The only thing "bad' about Hybrids is the inaccurate & uneducated public perception, as most of the previous answers testify to.
I have researched & driven many Hybrids.
I also have done the math, including maintenance & gas savings.
I'v been in the auto business for over 20 years.
My dealership sells every Hybrid we can get our hands on & we often have to 'trade' for them with other dealers to get more.
Any dealer that sells Hybrids has to be 'Certified' to service them as well They (Escape Hybrid) actually require less maintenance than their non-hybrid sisters.
Prices have been reduced & state & federal tax incentives are abundant.
I highly recommend the Ford Escape Hybrid. I had one as a demo & DOUBLED my miles per gallon! ( compared to a non-hybrid Escape)

If you want to KNOW about Hybrids instead of reading these OPINIONS, I suggest you go to http://hybridcars.com for starters

Answer 9

I think the Answer is in the Question. it is hard to find a mechanic so you will be under the mercy of pleas don't brake down and no one likes that . or how much,how long and when will i be fix

Answer 10

hybrids only save money to the driver if they are used in stop and go traffic not on the open road

Answer 11

They are expensive and there is a debate on whether the added expense of buying the car justifies the savings in fuel