By now I think everyone has at least considered hybrids. My beef has been that the cars the needs the hybrids the most which are trucks still doesn't have them but that's not the point. So let me explain what is Hybrid technology is and whether I think you should get one or not.

First, read other people's guide on Hybrids. They are going to tell you the same thing over and over and over again. Hybrid is a mix of gas and electric engine. The electric engine is charged not by plugging into the wall but by braking and coasting on the road. That's nice. Here's kind of what they didn't tell you:

1. The gas engine is MUCH smaller.
2. Smaller engines uses less gas as a general rule
3. Smaller engines also produce less power

So at this point you're probably thinking the electric engine is suppose to pick up the slack. Yes and no. There has to be power in the batter in order for the electric engine to work so a dead battery or a non-charged battery is useless. Like powering a big rig with a Mini. Not really going to move. You'll have to make sure the electric battery has at least some charge but normal drivers won't really run into this situation but it can happen.

So what about the theory that replacing the battery is expensive. Yes it is. On top of the initial $3k - $5k price increase to get the hybrid model of a car, you have to worry about replacing the battery after 5-8 years. Of course some of the cars do come with separate batteries so you don't have to change them all at once and some have much longer warranties but it's something to watch for. So unless you drive a lot, you won't gain the cost benefits though the environment will thank you. Also let's not forget the number of moving parts has just jumped. The more moving parts the more that can go wrong and the more expensive it is to maintain.

So at what point should you consider a hybrid? There's no real test but here's my take. If you plan on keeping the car for more than 8 years AND if you plan on driving more than 15k miles per year on the freeway or 10k per year in the city OR if you are an environmentalist you should get one.

What they really need to create is a hybrid that acts more like an electric vehicle. If we are allowed to plug the car in to use the battery first before the gas motor is needed, I think this will solve most of our gas problem. Most people should travel less than 50 miles to work and I'm hoping the hybrid battery can hold that much. Plug it in at home and work will reduce having to use any gas at all unless you are taking a longer trip.

Zeoth - Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Stock