From Guest Blogger Jordan: Are Plug-In Hybrids Right For You?

Plug-in hybrid cars have become quite popular among car buyers in the last decade or so, due in large part to extremely high gas prices and concerns over the negative effects that gasoline-powered vehicles have on the environment. That’s why plug-in hybrids, along with electric cars, are gaining momentum and sales of these types of vehicles are constantly on the rise. But, hybrid cars are relatively new to the market, and not everyone knows what they are all about. They are very different to cars that run solely on gasoline, with different performances, and requiring different maintenance practices. So, if you want to buy a plug-in hybrid car, you have to take into account all the positive and negative aspects of this type of vehicles, so you can make the right choice and get a car that is right for you.

Plug-in Hybrid Cars Pros

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of hybrid cars is their fuel efficiency. If you own a plug-in hybrid car, you will spend considerably less money on fuel. Since they are powered by a combination of an electric motor and a gas engine, you won’t have to spend so much on fuel, as you would if you had a gasoline-powered vehicle. So, there is a huge economic benefit that comes with owning a hybrid car.

Another good thing about hybrids is that they are more suitable for city driving than other cars. They have excellent mileage ratings in the city. Usually, cars are more efficient on the highway, but that’s not the case with hybrids. Stop-and-go traffic burns a lot of fuel, but hybrid vehicles have the technology that can resolve this problem. Whenever you stop at a traffic light, the battery gets charged, which is why some hybrids get to as much as 50-60 mpg in the city.

Furthermore, hybrid cars are very eco-friendly. If you are concerned about air pollution, and want to help preserve the environment, you should get a hybrid. They have very low emission levels, and most of them comply with the strictest emissions standards, so they don’t have to pass emissions tests. Also, they are very quiet, as they run on electric motors, which don’t produce the type of noise that internal combustion engines do.

Hybrid Cars Cons

The biggest disadvantage of hybrid cars is their price. They are very expensive, and even though they can save you a lot of money on the long term, you would have to make a huge initial investment, and that’s not something that everyone can afford to do.

While hybrids are good for city driving, they don’t get a great mileage on the highway. So, if you need a car for long trips, a hybrid car is not the ideal choice for you. Another downside of owning a hybrid car is that they have higher maintenance costs, and parts for hybrid cars cost more. You shouldn’t disregard their resale value, either, since it’s considerably lower as compared to conventional cars.

So, you have to take all these advantages and disadvantages into consideration, make some calculations and see if buying a hybrid car is something that you can afford and whether it’s a good investment in the short and in the long run.