What No One Tells You About Owning A Hybrid Vehicle

Battery replacement is expensive

Although most hybrids come with at least an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty for the battery pack, replacing them could cost around $4,000, depending on the car. With an exotic like the Lamborghini Revuelto, which comes with a 3.8 kWh battery pack, it could cost you even more.

Also, unlike EV batteries, hybrids pack very compact and small-capacity batteries. Constant charging and discharging of the batteries via the engine or regenerative braking could eventually cause the battery cells to wear out. Also, the risk of degraded batteries is prevalent with used or pre-owned hybrid vehicles. Additionally, you should be aware that extreme temperatures can shorten the lifespan of the batteries.

Highway mileage isn’t as good as you’d expect

Fuel efficiency is one of the main factors for choosing a hybrid vehicle over a normal gas-powered model. However, the benefits of fuel economy with hybrids are only noticeable when driving them in the city with regular traffic stops and more low-speed driving.

Once you reach higher highway speeds, electric motors, primarily designed for efficiency in stop-and-go city driving, may not be able to provide sufficient power. This necessitates the gas-fed engine to take over to propel the vehicle. This affects the overall efficiency, making hybrids no different than pure ICE cars.

There are some exceptions, like the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance, which sports a very powerful hybrid system. Its rear-axle-mounted e-motor can help it reach speeds up to 78 mph with electric propulsion alone. However, driving this 671-horsepower four-door beast at that speed will deplete the battery charge levels rapidly, which defeats the purpose of a pure EV mode.

Most Hybrids aren’t as exciting to drive as their ICE counterparts

No. We’re not discussing ultra-expensive supercars like the 986-horsepower Ferrari SF90 or the 690-horsepower McLaren Artura. We’re talking about the mainstream variety that you and I will consider, like the Toyota Prius or the Honda CR-V Hybrid. Even if they produce more power than their ICE counterparts, most mass-market hybrid models prioritize efficiency over performance.

Hybrid vehicles also employ more electronic components and wires, making them heavier than their gas-powered counterparts. This extra weight translates to weaker handling dynamics. Also, the gas/electric powertrain takes its own sweet time to respond and offers a linear surge in power - nothing exciting. Hybrids are mostly exciting once you dial up your budget to triple-digit figures.

The cost of insurance is much higher than ICE vehicles

It turns out that an owner of a hybrid car is expected to pay $41 more for insurance, every month when compared to normal gas-only vehicles. So, why the higher price? Well, there are a few things that you need to understand before you decide to get a hybrid vehicle. Since hybrids carry a higher starting price than traditional ICE cars, that higher price tag gets factored into your insurance premium.

Secondly, hybrids are packed with complex technology that can be expensive to repair or replace if something goes south. Additionally, repairing hybrids after an accident can be pricier because of their ultra-complex engineering. So, while hybrids are great for the environment and your gas budget, you will end up with a higher premium.

Fuel economy drops in colder climate

Did you know that cold weather can affect your hybrid’s fuel efficiency? That’s true! When temperatures drop, those batteries need a bit more time to warm up and reach their peak performance. It’s like us needing that extra cup of coffee on a chilly morning!

Since the battery isn’t as efficient in the cold, the trusty old internal combustion engine has to work overtime. This means your hybrid will sip a bit more gas than usual. It’s not a huge difference, but it’s something to remember if you live in a region with colder temperatures.