Over the last two months, I have focused my time and energy on researching the merits of buying a hybrid vehicle and whether it outweighs that of a standard-engine vehicle. I took up a study where I engaged several people who currently own hybrid vehicles and have a past experience with standard-engine vehicles and drew up a conclusion that id like to share with you.
The move to hybrid vehicles largely contributed to the need to protect our climate by reducing carbon emissions. The depletion of fossil fuels has also played a major role in this shift. These vehicles give us the advantage of fuel efficiency which is a major selling point for vehicles at the moment. Further, the wear and tear of the engine in a hybrid vehicle is greatly reduced by the fact that its functionality is supplemented by the hybrid system. Parts like spark plugs are not replaced as often as those of a standard engine vehicle.
The above-stated advantages clearly outweigh that of a standard engine vehicle but they can only be enjoyed by a person who cares for their vehicle and services it without fail. Compared to standard engine vehicles, hybrids require extra care. While doing the normal engine check, one would also need to do a hybrid system check where the batteries are charged and balanced and the fans cleaned to ensure efficient cooling as heat is the system’s greatest enemy. The aspect of care has disqualified most of us from reaping the benefits of these vehicles due to our culture of always wanting an easier way out and waiting for the vehicle to stall for it to have your full attention.
Vehicles reciprocate the energy of their owners where it only serves you as best as you service it. This cuts across all vehicles despite the system they are running with. It is easy to conclude that a hybrid vehicle is very demanding in terms of service but honestly all vehicles are. Negligence as a car owner is quite punitive regardless of the car you own. Maintaining a hybrid vehicle only becomes expensive the moment you ignore its warning signs from the beginning. Once your vehicle shows a check engine light, it is expedient to get it checked immediately to arrest the problem at its initial stages before it spreads to the entire battery cells. The vehicle will be motorable even with the said lights but continued use in this condition will damage the hybrid system and you will be required to change the entire battery pack which will be expensive.
In conclusion, the reliability of hybrid vehicles is largely dependent on the person who owns the vehicle. We are a set of people who would rather let the little lights on our dashboard shine or clear error codes as long as the car is running. I opine that whether or not a person enjoys the benefits of these vehicles is not a system issue rather it is a cultural issue.
I am Nyambura The Motorist
I have a bias for Hybrids
An insurance expert
