The Truth of Hybrid Cars Fuel Efficiency

The hybrid car has long been touted as the savior from oil dependency. The first mass produced models, like the Toyota Prius, came onto the market with loads of fanfare. Stunned manufacturers saw the market shift towards these hybrid cars' fuel efficiency. In 2004, Toyota and Honda sold over 88,000 hybrid model cars in the US. This was only 0.5% of the total lightweight vehicle sales in the US, but the number has doubled and tripled since that time. What makes Americans hungry for the hybrid vehicle? Has the world actually shifted from the lightweight economy car to a more versatile, albeit more expensive, hybrid counterpart?

A Short History of Hybrid Cars

It's often believed that hybrid cars catapulted into modern culture circa 1997. However, many may be surprised to learn hybrids actually appeared as early as 1902 with the "Lohner-Porsche petrol-electric ‘Mixte' built by Ferdinand Porsche" [Source: Hybrid Cars Guide]. The demise of the early hybrids came from Henry Ford's automated assembly line, which pumped out far more cars in less amount of time. The hybrid did not die, but soon became second best to the more efficient manufacturing methods of American auto makers.

In 1997 Toyota revealed the Prius to the Japanese market. As a result, the new era of hybrid cars had begun. It would take a few years, but the Prius model would begin to show up in American auto showrooms and introduce a whole new line of cars during a time when Americans wanted something new and fresh.

A Few Myths of Hybrid Cars

In today's pop culture, hybrids carry a reputation of being owned by tree-huggers, liberals, and activists. It could be because early adopters of the vehicle all came from these particular camps. Nevertheless, mainstream media has long since equated hybrid ownership to thoughtful, environmentally friendly personalities. Recently, as gas prices have surged, many have jumped ship to purchase these lovable hybrid vehicles. As they buy them up by the hundreds of thousands, new and more powerful models have emerged, including SUV and sedan models. The new technology has more than a few consumers questioning their purchase when they hear of faulty batteries, poor performance, and more expensive price tags at the time of sale.

The folks at HybridCars.com have a comprehensive list of myths related to hybrid cars. The reaction to hybrid cars seems to stem from ignorance or common misunderstandings, like the faulty battery charge. It's unknown who circulates these rumors, but the fact remains that most modern hybrids carry an 80,000 to 100,000 mile warranty on the battery. The life of hybrid batteries should last well after the warranty expires. Documented cases appear more and more each day.

Hybrid Cars and Saving Money on Gas

Do hybrid cars save money on gas? Absolutely. Do they cost more to purchase? Most definitely. Most hybrid car manufacturers show ads where the cars not only save money on gas, but also the environment. A few short years ago, before the new EPA fuel estimates hit the market, many hybrid owners carried a grudge as their new hybrid didn't live up to mileage estimates pasted to their car's window. The outdated methods used to test vehicles have been improved for 2008. The purpose was to show more accurate estimates so consumers would not feel cheated by their new hybrid model. The results are a more accurate account of a car's day to day performance.

The new EPA standards show a Toyota Prius at 48mpg in the city and 46mpg on the highway [Source: Edmunds.com]. The lower highway miles relate to engine using gas to achieve higher speeds on the highway. 48mpg for city driving is still phenomenal. Many would trade in for such a valuable asset. However, trading in a gas guzzler doesn't always amount to big savings. You can use the Edmunds.com gas guzzler trade-in calculator to figure when the move to a hybrid would pay you back.

For those who still like to hit the open road, a modern hybrid car will do wonders for your wallet. A five hundred mile trip could see you shave 40% off a comparable economy car's gas mileage for the trip. Hybrid cars definitely save money on gas, but make sure you can afford to make the change. A one sided trade at the auto dealer might do your finances more harm than good.

Get to the Streets

Many auto manufacturers have pushed long and hard to not produce hybrid vehicles. With the clamoring from consumers for more fuel efficiency, we can only imagine the lineup of future models will have more electric shock than combustible spark.