11 Hybrid Car Advantages and Disadvantages Explained
Hybrid car advantages and disadvantages include; fuel efficiency, environment-friendly operation, non-dependence on fossil fuels, innovative design, flexible power storage and economic savings (advantages); high cost, low output, storage problems, operational difficulties, and irregular performance (disadvantages). This article discusses hybrid car advantages and disadvantages as follows;
-Hybrid Car Disadvantages/Cons
-Hybrid Car Advantages/Pros
The advantages of a hybrid car include efficiency, environment-friendly, economic savings, innovative design, and multiple power options.
1). Environment-Friendly
A hybrid car is designed to exploit alternative power sources, as part of efforts to achieve sustainable development in the automobile sector, by reducing the dependence on energy resources that can affect the environment.
Hybrid cars use power storage technology to conserve energy and minimize the demand for these resources, as well as to increase the prospect of using power from clean, renewable sources.
On the contrary, gasoline vehicles contribute to environmental degradation through the emission of greenhouse gases and toxins that affect both air quality and the climate. Studies suggest that the use of hybrid cars reduces emissions significantly [2].
2). Energy and Fuel Efficiency
One of the striking features of a hybrid car is its ability to utilize more than one power source.
This attribute improves the energy efficiency and fuel efficiency of the vehicle.
Energy efficiency of the hybrid car is derived from the co-dependence of the power sources, as well as conservation that occurs through regenerative braking and power storage. Switching between the two or more power sources leads to conservation and efficient use of energy.
Fuel efficiency is also as a result of the co-dependence between the power sources of the vehicle. This usually leads to long range and energy-conservation capacity.
3). Does not solely Depend on Fossil Fuels
A major objective in the design and operation of hybrid cars is to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
By equipping these cars with electric motors and batteries, they become less dependent on fossil fuel and can be recharged with power from renewable sources.
This capacity to depend less on fossil fuels has potential advantages for the environment and economy, which include reducing fossil fuel price and demand, and conserving the environment.
Some hybrid cars do not use fossil fuels at all, replacing them with liquid hydrogen, which when produced from clean sources and processes, can be a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
4). Multiple Power Options and Innovative Design as Hybrid Car Advantages
Generally, a hybrid car is designed to switch automatically between power sources according to the need and capacity of the system.
This is an innovative capability which makes hybrid cars efficient to operate.
Recent developments have also introduced lighter and more efficient designs for the interior and exterior components, as well as seamless and more effective connections between the power sources of the vehicle.
5). A Hybrid Car Offers Flexible Power Storage Mechanisms
The use of regenerative braking to produce and capture energy for storage is one of the advantaged of hybrid cars.
This function results in better energy savings, efficiency and performance.
The ability to use plug-in equipment to recharge the batteries (as in plug-in hybrid vehicles) makes the charging process flexible and multi-optional, which further contributes to energy and fuel efficiency.
6). Economic Savings
There are a number of reasons why a hybrid car may be an economically-conservative option.
One of these is the fact that these vehicles offer alternative power options for the user, reducing the dependence on one power source. In the event of price increase, such as a rise in the price of gasoline, the presence of a battery storage system may reduce the need for gasoline in the vehicle.
Many hybrid vehicles also require minimal maintenance, compared to gasoline vehicles. Because they do not solely depend on one power source, the level of wear and tear and the risk of failure of these components become less.
Also, hybrid vehicles may have warranties and tax credits that reduce the economic burden on users [4].
-Hybrid Car Disadvantages/Cons
Disadvantages or downsides of a hybrid car include cost, low power output, power storage problems, poor performance and operational difficulties.
1). Expensive to Purchase
In spite of its potential economic advantages, a hybrid car may be expensive to purchase.
Compared to conventional combustion engine vehicles, hybrid vehicles come at a high purchasing cost [5], obviously as a result of the operational design and capabilities of these vehicles. In the absence of tax credits and warranties, such purchasing costs can be a major disadvantage.
Because of the peculiarity of their design, repairs for hybrid cars can equally be expensive, as they may not be achievable using the same methods, equipment and components for conventional gasoline cars or electric cars.
2). Low Overall Power Output as one of the Hybrid Car Disadvantages
Because of the interdependence of different power supply units, a hybrid car may not have a high overall power output.
This is especially the case in vehicles which have low-capacity combustion engines and/or electric motors. Since none of the power sources is designed to independently propel the vehicle, their combined output may be low compared to that of a traditional gasoline or all-electric vehicle.
3). Battery and Power Storage Issues as Hybrid Car Disadvantages
The battery system in a hybrid car may present potential problems.
One of these is with regards to design. Batteries may affect the design weight, geometry and performance of the hybrid vehicle in a negative way [6]. This may be detrimental to the overall quality of the car.
The batteries may also be prone to damage, especially in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) where they receive power from both the combustion engine and the regenerative braking system.
Replacement of damaged batteries may be costly. The internal configuration of the hybrid car may also make battery replacement a complex procedure, and improper disposal of the damaged batteries can cause environmental degradation in the form of heavy metal pollution [1].
4). A Hydrogen-based Hybrid Car may Present Operational Difficulties
Hybrid cars that use liquid hydrogen may experience operational difficulties, especially due to the need to keep hydrogen fuel within a specific relatively stable range of temperature and pressure.
The effectiveness of fuel cells as a power generation unit for the vehicle may be insufficient, depending on the demand in terms of range and performance.
Hydrogen fuel usage may come at a high cost [3], which is problematic for users. Lastly, hydrogen fuel may have negative environmental impacts in its production and utilization stages.
5). Irregularity in Performance
A hybrid car may not always perform consistently or efficiently.
The two possible causes of these performance problems are design and operation.
In terms of design, the configuration of a hybrid car may include heavy batteries and poorly-optimized interconnections between the electric motor, engine and other important components.
During switching between power supply units, like the engine and batteries, performance changes may occur, which may not always be positive. Such irregularities in performance can affect safety and efficiency.
Low overall power output can also cause performance problems.
Conclusion: Overview of Hybrid Car Advantages and Disadvantages
Hybrid car advantages and disadvantages are as follows;
-Advantages of a hybrid car include;
- A Hybrid Car is Environment-Friendly
- Energy and Fuel Efficiency
- A Hybrid Car does not solely Depend on Fossil Fuels
- Multiple Power Options and Innovative Design
- A Hybrid Car Offers Flexible Power Storage Mechanisms
- Economic Savings
-Disadvantages of a hybrid car include;
- A Hybrid Car may be Expensive to Purchase
- Low Overall Power Output
- Battery and Power Storage Issues
- A Hydrogen-based Hybrid Car may Present Operational Difficulties
- Irregularity in Performance
References
1). Arfeen, Z. A.; Hassan, R. (2022). “Environmental Impact of the Recycling and Disposal of EV Batteries.” Developing Charging Infrastructure and Technologies for Electric Vehicles (pp.22)Chapter: Environmental Impacts of EV batteries and their Recycling, IGI Global. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4018/976-1-7888-6858-3.ch008. (Accessed 19 June 2022).
2). de Carvalho, C. A. R.; Lamas, W. D. W. (2009). “The use of hybrid vehicles as a proposal for reducing CO2 emissions and its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” Available at: https://doi.org/10.5380/reterm.v8i1.61874. (Accessed 19 June 2022).
3). Grab-Rogalinski, Szwaja, S. (2014). “COST ANALYSIS OF HYDROGEN ENERGY GENERATION.” Journal of KONES 21(3):122-126. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5604/12314005.1133183. (Accessed 19 June 2022).
4). Narassimhan, E.; Johnson, C. (2018). “The role of demand-side incentives and charging infrastructure on plug-in electric vehicle adoption: Analysis of US States.” Environmental Research Letters 13(7). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aad0f8. (Accessed 19 June 2022).
5). Propfe, B.; Redelbach, M.; Santini, D.; Friedrich, H. E. (2012). “Cost analysis of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles including Maintenance & Repair Costs and Resale Values.” World Electric Vehicle Journal 5(4):886-895. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj5040886. (Accessed 19 June 2022).
6). Shiau, C. N.; Samaras, C.; Hauffe, R.; Michalek, J. (2009). “Impact of battery weight and charging patterns on the economic and environmental benefits of plug-in hybrid vehicles.” Energy Policy 37(7):2653-2663. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2009.02.040. (Accessed 19 June 2022).
