What are the benefits of Hybrid cars?

With any new product that has been hyped up- and seems to have no downside- it is good to double-check before you purchase. You should always do your own research before going to meet the salespeople. Hybrid cars are the new green things, with lower emissions and higher gas efficiency they seem great and those can be, but for every pro, there is a con. This article will discuss what they are so you can make a decision based on a balanced knowledge of both the good and bad sides of hybrid cars.

.
Pro: With a hybrid car you will get more miles per gallon (MPG), up to 50 or 60 depending on the car. You will save a substantial amount on gas with all hybrids verses your average automobile. Examples:
Hybrid 2011 Toyota Prius MPG: 51 city 48 hwy
2011 Toyota Yaris MPG 29: city 35 hwy
Hybrid 2011 Ford Fusion MPG: 41 city 36 hwy
2011 Ford Focus MPG: 25 city 35 hwy
Hybrid 2011 Honda Civic MPG: 40 city 43 hwy
2011 Honda Civic MPG: 26 city 34 hwy

Con: Hybrid cars have a much higher indicial cost, between $2,000- $4,000 more than a comparable non-hybrid. The battery in a hybrid car can cost about $4,000, and has a life span of 8-10 years so, unless gas prices triple, you will never break even when buying a hybrid.
Here are some interesting figures I found online done by Ian Ybarra;
Civic Sedan Civic Hybrid Sedan
32/37 mpg (city/hwy) 48/47 mpg

Split the difference on those mileage figures, and we’ll use
the following numbers for our calculations…
Civic Sedan Civic Hybrid Sedan
34.5 mpg 47.5 mpg
“They” say you drive 15,000 miles every year. To drive
that far, you’d have to buy:
Civic Sedan Civic Hybrid Sedan
434.8 gallons of gas(15,000miles / 34.5mpg) 315.8 gallons of gas 15,000miles / 47.5mpg)
What does that cost you?
Civic Sedan Civic Hybrid Sedan
$869.57 (434.8gal x $2/gal) $631.58 (315.8gal x $2/gal)
Hybrid owners save $237.99 on gas every year
($869.57 – $631.58)
Wow!
Saving $237.99 per year is awesome, I guess. That is, unless you think
about how much more you paid for the hybrid car to save money on gas.
What do these cars cost?
Civic Sedan Civic Hybrid Sedan
$17,960 (highest trim level, automatic transmission) $20,900 (continuously variable transmission)
The Civic Hybrid Sedan costs an additional $2,940
($20,900 – $17,960)
So how many years of “saving on gas” does it take to
actually start “saving money” ?
$2,940 (how much more you paid for a hybrid car)
—(divided by)—
$237.99/year (how much you save on gas each year)
= 12.35346 years

Remember, the battery in a hybrid has a life span of 8-10 years, and can cost up to $4,000.

Pro: Less carbon emissions. This is what makes a hybrid car “green”; hybrid cars are made to release less carbon emissions than a normal car.
Con: There are certain safety issues with having a massive high voltage battery in the back of your car. In a car accident that battery could become unstable and electrocute you (ouch!). Rescue teams are now being trained on how to handle a hybrid car accident, and are becoming prepared for the risk of electrocution. For more information, go to: http://www.aa1car.com/library/hybrid_hazards.htm
Pro or Con (however you take it); there is no idling in a hybrid car, the engine shuts off automatically when the car is stopped. This is good for the environment, but bad for you if your buddy driving the getaway car can’t keep the engine running.
Pro: Many hybrid cars are often eligible for tax breaks to help subsidize the higher initial cost of hybrid cars. For some cars this break can be as much as $4,000, which could cover the next battery cost.

Sources:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/hybrid_hazards.htm

http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/hybrid-cars-dont-save-you-money-do-the-math/

http://www.automotive.com/new-cars/124/30-40-mpg/compact/index.html

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs.shtml

Images:

http://www.whyhybridcars.net/page/2/