In this modern era of engineering and technology, we often come to see Hybrid Electric Vehicles moving around us. There are run by both fuel (Petrol, Diesel & Gas) and battery. The invention of pioneer advanced hybrid car by Porsche caused revolution in the automobile industry as well as the modernization of conventional vehicles. As the trend of buying these vehicles sloped up in the purchase market, it created some myths in the public in parallel. Let’s have a look at all of these!
“Performance of Hybrid Electric Vehicles is not up to the mark.”
Almost every buyer of such cars think about the performance in terms of acceleration, flexibility, speed and road grip. In fact, many people often call these vehicles the glorified carts. But, it’s totally wrong. Their performance is more than that of other vehicles having same financial range.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles can’t use for more than hundred kilometer.”
As the technology is becoming more advanced, the performance of batteries is also being enhanced however steadily. Now, many such plug-in hybrid cars are available which run more than 100 kilometer at a single charge depending upon the rhythm of the drive. More rhythm offers longer time to move on.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles have sensitivity limitations while driving.”
Temperature and path conditions may cause sensitivity limitations for hybrid vehicles. But only in winter, low temperature reduces the battery charge capacity declared as per the scientific research. Else, it provides instant start even in low temperatures. Besides the path conditions, hybrid electric vehicles have been proved reliable for driving in urban areas.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles can’t run only on primary fuel.”
Word “Hybrid” doesn’t mean that if your choice is secondary source of energy i.e. batteries then you can’t use the primary source i.e. fuel. Hybrid vehicles can be run by both sources; which source to be used is a choice at your end. So, primary fuel is also enough to run such vehicles. Only, batteries induce the difference in between hybrid and conventional vehicles.
“Operational cost of Hybrid Electric Vehicles is higher.”
The cost of operation for hybrid electric vehicles is same as for non-hybrid vehicles. Mechanical analysis of both types of vehicles reveals that the cost on engine maintenance and brakes of hybrid vehicles is lower and less frequent. But, these require timely engine oil changes and balancing subjected to efficiency issues.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles are totally green i.e. clean technology.”
Some people misinterpret the hybrid technology, a green technology! These vehicles also use nominal quantity of fuel that lead to gases emission. According to a report published in U.S. News, below 30,000$, best hybrid cars are designed by Honda, Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan, Hyundai and KIA; having good fuel efficiency but not totally green.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles cause difficulties for fresh respondents/drivers.”
When batteries are used within the vehicles, their mechanical layout is the little bit changed. Many of us feel hesitation or fear to work on such layouts, which may cause difficulties for the first respondents who never used such vehicles before. As this technology is becoming more and more common the first respondents difficulty level is being reduced. In many countries, there are training for new respondents to have “Human-Engine Interaction”. So, no need to worry about.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles are not designed for family, shorter size.”
To get rid of this myth, Audi A3 e-tron, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Chevy Volt, Volvo XC90 T8, Volkswagen Passat GTE and much more are best hybrid vehicles to purchase to meet family requirements. Hybrid technology is now penetrating in 2-door, 4-door and heavy vehicles as per customer demand.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles are based upon a recent idea.”
People, who think that Hybrid Electric Vehicles are the outcome of a new idea, are totally wrong. At the end of 18th century, the hybrid engine was firstly the combination of steam and oil. But, Lohner-Porsche was the first advanced hybrid electric car; Porsche Chief Engineer, Wolfgang Duerheimer, introduced this technological star to the Governor of California, Schwarzenegger, in 1900’s Paris Auto Show. So, this technology has been sustaining since 1900.
“Batteries of Hybrid Electric Vehicles are to be replaced yearly.”
It’s simply not true and a major barrier to their sales. Special purpose batteries for traction i.e. Lead Acid, Li-ion Polymers, Nickel-Metal Hydride and Ni-Cd, are made with a high ampere-hour capacity. These are just different from the batteries used for commercial purposes and have the average lifespan of 100,000 miles or more than this. U.S. Department of Energy has stopped battery packs testing after 160,000 miles because the condition is almost same as new.
“Technology of Hybrid Electric Vehicles will be out-dated.”
More than 100 years of successful survival of hybrid vehicles in the automobile industry is an incontrovertible proof to those who claim that the technology will be outdated. According to the updated trend, vehicles with gasoline engines are being replaced by the former ones.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles are the solution to the environmental concerns.”
Hybrid Electric Vehicles reduces the environmental concerns to some extent but don’t provide the terminal solution due to emission. Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP), Environmental Consultant (London, United Kingdom), disclosed a press release. According to which, the vehicle whole life carbon emission analysis is mentioned below:
| Vehicle Type | Estimated Life Cycle Emissions (Tons CO2) | Proportion of Emissions in Production | Estimated Emissions in Production (Tons CO2) |
| Standard Gasoline | 24 | 23% | 5.6 |
| Hybrid Electric | 21 | 31% | 6.5 |
| Plug-in Hybrid | 19 | 35% | 6.7 |
| All Electric | 19 | 46% | 8.8 |
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles are under powered vehicles.”
Toyota Prius Four Touring offers 121hp while Acura NSX provides 573hp. There is a nominal range of power in between these two extremes. So, the hybrid electric vehicle is not an under powered vehicle. In fact, they provide us speed and run the long way.
“All the fuel is saved by using Hybrid Electric Vehicles.”
Owner of hybrid vehicles is less frequent to use oil filling station. But, it’s wrong that all the primary fuel is saved. On average, it consumes 3.5 to 4.0 liters per 100 km. Moreover, government officials in western countries preferably use these vehicles to reduce the dependency on fuel.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles are much expensive.”
This myth is based on a misconception created at the growing time of hybrid vehicle industry. Initially, hybrid vehicles were enough expensive but it was understandable. As the market progressed, the people started purchasing them. Reasonable vehicles are available in the range of 20,000$ to 30,000$. But, automobile industry also assembled the expensive cars of 150,000$ using hybrid technology.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles uses fuel while driving backwards.”
It’s entirely illogical that hybrid electric used primary fuel to move backwards. But the fact is, batteries provide backwards and forward propulsion to the vehicle by using the electric motor which is sufficient to provide necessary acceleration. And, primary fuel assists to achieve high speed.
“All the Hybrid Electric Vehicles are needed to be plugged-in.”
No, there is no need to plug-in a hybrid electric vehicle. Actually, this myth is the result of the misunderstanding between these two types of hybrid vehicles i.e. Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles. Plug-in hybrid vehicles are required to be plugged-in timely to provide the charge.
“Hybrid Electric Vehicles are inconvenient.”
Most of the people are unaware of hybrid engine’s functionality. They think that there might be the distraction when the engine switches in between fuel and battery powers, causing inconvenience while driving. In actual, the electric motor is attached to the engine by the belt drive. At low accelerating rpm, the vehicle is driven by battery but at high accelerating rpm, engine aids the speed without creating any disturbance. So, Hybrid Electric Vehicles are convenient enough.
“After the battery is out of charge, Hybrid Electric Vehicles suddenly stuck.”
Regenerative Braking System (RBS) has been introduced to hybrid vehicles to avoid stall i.e. suddenly stop of the vehicle while driving. If the battery bank is out to charge, RBS slows down the car and charges the batteries while counter-accelerating. So, the risk of being stall has been minimized to the maximum extent.
“Millage of Hybrid Electric Vehicles is 3 to 4 times of conventional vehicles.”
It’s true that millage of hybrid electric vehicles is more than that of conventional vehicles but it is not 3 to 4 time. We can still improve the mileage of gasoline or gas-powered vehicles by driving slower, avoiding frequent stops and maintaining acceleration constant. But, the millage of former ones can’t be improved due to the fact that they haven’t all the aspects running on primary fuel.