All Things Hybrid

Having established the history of hybrid vehicles, I believe that we are well placed in regards to our understanding of why the technology was necessary. The factors that grounded the said technology are still the same that propel it today but on a larger scale. The world is seeking stability in all aspects and nonrenewable sources of energy are not offering that. Also, over time, we have seen an increase in conflicts in the countries that mine oil and this affects its availability and prices. Previously, manufacturers used to give little to no attention to the fuel efficiency of vehicles and majored mostly in their performance. This was primarily because the threat of fuel depletion had not yet set in and its prices were low. We have witnessed a notable shift of focus by the manufacturers as the major selling point nowadays is fuel efficiency.

Today, we have seen significant adoption of hybrid technology on our Kenyan roads. Besides the advantage of fuel efficiency, the technology also comes with more responsibility in terms of serviceability. For instance, besides the regular engine checks done on standard vehicles, you have to care for the hybrid system. The knowledge of hybrid system maintenance is still scarce in the country but in time, we will all understand its functionality and learn how to go around the system.

As we seek to demystify hybrid vehicles, the first thing you should know as a potential buyer of a hybrid vehicle, before making a purchase, you should first inquire about the condition of the hybrid battery. If the battery is not in good shape, you will be forced to change it. You should therefore have the liberty to choose whether you are willing to repair a car you’ve just bought or to opt-out of the deal. While opting to import a hybrid vehicle, one important fact that you should note is that the hybrid batteries lose their ability to keep charge if the vehicle is not started for some time. Immediately you get your vehicle, conduct a life expectancy test. This will help you know whether you need to recondition your battery or replace some cells. After ensuring your system is in perfect working condition, plug into our next blog where we will be addressing different ways of caring for the system.