|
There is no doubt that hybrid vehicles help many to save money in terms of gas costs. Plus, there is no doubt that they help reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. Depending on where you reside, you may also receive a tax break for buying a hybrid. What is not to like about those three elements combined? But what many dealers and manufacturers will not tell you is that there are additional costs involved when you buy a hybrid. The costs may not be of any concern to the average driver now, but down the road your wallet may suffer.
Battery Costs
Besides the standard maintenance costs, the one major complaint that I have heard involves the extra cost to replace a battery. Hybrid car batteries usually fail for reasons akin to a standard battery in a gas or diesel powered car. After a while, a battery is simply unable to hold a charge due to being charged and discharged one too many times. On top of that, hybrid batteries are built with multiple cells. If one cell were to fail by way of corrosion or a faulty component, chances are that you may have to replace the entire battery. Granted, some dealerships or local mechanics may be trained to repair an issue with a single cell, but those are few and far between.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to buy a warranty when you purchase a hybrid vehicle. The warranties offered by hybrid manufacturers can extend as much as ten years or 100,000 miles. Even though battery costs have decreased considerably since the introduction of hybrid vehicles, they are still costly for the average individual. Right now a brand new battery will run you somewhere in the neighborhood of $3,000 (USD) if a problem were to arise. As you will see below, there are other ways to obtain a battery in used condition, but they are becoming a rarity as more and more people join the hybrid movement.
Not All Cars Are The Same
We also have to look at the other side of the story for clarity’s sake. Just like a standard gasoline powered vehicle, a hybrid is not immune to how a driver treats it or minor defects. As with any vehicle, you should attempt to follow the maintenance schedule included in the owner’s manual to a “t.” It may be an inconvenience for some, but it is quite necessary, especially in regard to hybrids. It may cost even more than a standard vehicle to keep it up, but it is a necessary evil. For some, it may not cost much at all. If you have purchased an extended warranty with your hybrid, you should be covered for all major problems, including battery issues.
As we all know, the guy next door may own the same vehicle as you, but for some strange reason, your vehicle seems to be having more issues than his. Again, this harkens back to how you treat your vehicle, but it also has something to do with luck. I have heard reports of individuals driving a hybrid around for 200,000 miles with no issue what so ever, including the battery. Then again, there are stories around that claim some hybrids barely make it over 100,000 miles before the battery fails and needs to be replaced. One solution for this may be to try to get your hands on a salvaged battery if at all possible and have it installed at a dealership. But as we have seen above, the cost either way may not be practical for some.
Think Before You Buy
Right now gas prices are down considerably compared to last year. But like any product sold and traded on the free market, prices have the tendency to fluctuate between highs and lows. Surely we will see a rise in gas prices at some point in the future, which will send the masses out to purchase hybrids. Please note, I find nothing wrong with hybrids, nor am I biased against them, but if you go out to buy a hybrid, keep in mind that four or five years down the road, you may have to purchase a new battery at a considerable cost.
|
|
|
|
