What are the cons of hybrid cars?

Question

For my debate class, I need to talk about why every major car company shouldn't make their own hybrid model.
I need some expert opinions.
Thanks!

Answer 1

The major con is the initial cost. I've read that even though you save alot of money on fuel, you never regain what you spent on the vehicle in the first place. Basically you drive them to be more eco-friendly, not because they are cheaper to own. You can bet that when they do break down, and require maintenance (batteries, electric motor overhaul, etc...), it's going to be VERY expensive. Also, I would think that they aren't as safe in an accident as normal cars, due to being built very lightweight, although they have decent crash-test ratings.

Answer 2

Take it from an ex owner there are plenty of cons. I owned a 2002 Toyota Prius for two years and 1 hundred thousand troublesome miles.
1. Initial price was $5-6 k more than the Echo on which it was based.
2. Fuel economy diminished greatly as battery aged.
3. Disposal methods for used battery packs not established and repair procedures not clear for charging issues.
4. Car would not run on battery power alone when fuel exhausted. Even for very short distances.
5. Weight of drive line caused excessive tire wear. Tires lasted 20,000 miles.
When I calculated the investment and operating costs for this vehicle, I traded it in on a 2004 Mercedes Benz C class and in the two years I owned that car it cost less to operate than the Hybrid.
I know that the Hybrid engineering has improved somewhat, but I still think the public is being mislead as to the overall efficiency of these cars.

Answer 3

I heard a report just yesterday on a study. It seems, at current costs, the break even point on a hybrid is a bit over 5 years. That's when you start realizing a savings over a standard vehicle. That is assuming you don't have to replace a major part of the electrical system. That will cost plenty I bet.

They are very costly in the initial purchase.

Many seem smaller to me than standard vehicles.

And IMO, the only one that counts to me, they are BVTT UGLY. I think a freight train would take a dirt road to avoid hitting one. I realize there are different styles but most look like very bad attempts at a fututistic looking automobile to me.

My brother is a mechanic for a company that has salesmen on the road. They currently have two of them. He likes one, the other is a dog. He told me less than a week ago that one of the two spends more time at the dealership than on the road.

My wife works for California, in the vehicle management section. They have a bunch of alternate fuel vehicles. She said the only one she wouldn't have were the ones that ran on compressed natural gas (CNG). She said they are OK except their range is so limited that even traveling 100 miles a day without stopping for fuel is almost unheard of. I don't thing CNG is considered a hybrid. I only mentioned because of all the different type vehicles she manages the CNG models are the only ones she doesn't like. That "like" would include a considerable number of hybrids, fuel cells and who knows what else.

Good luck in the debate.

Answer 4

A few months back Popular Mechanics had an article about the cost of owning a hybrid. I think Fitron summed that article up pretty well but it's a good starting point for your research.

Answer 5

It's hard to find people to work on them and when you do it's really expensive. Now if you have a standard plain ol car, you can take it to a mechanic and go from there. Your battery doens't last as long. Plus, they dont' do as well going fast as a gas powered 1 motor. (Hybrid's have 2.) Plus they are expensive. .There are a lot look it up.