Testing regimen and air quality concerns imply that many car owners are moving away from gasoline fuel to search for cleaner options. Manufacturers are under a lot of pressure to produce cars with lower carbon dioxide emissions and better efficiency. Although small-sized petrol turbos are still popular, it is evident that the popularity of hybrids is increasing at a fast rate.
Hybrid technology is not an entirely new phenomenon since these vehicles entered the market more than a decade ago. Prius’ 1st generation entered the United Kingdom showrooms in the year 2000 following the arrival of MK4. It is, therefore, fair enough to say that hybrid technology is truly reliable. Although a few manufacturers are yet to catch up, a wide range of green cars is available on the market.
Proven Reliability
Regardless of the fact that hybrid technology has proved to be dependable and worthwhile, several potential purchasers are still skeptical. This is because they believe these cars are costly and their drivetrain is complex. They also hold the assumption that these cars are not reliable. However, Toyota has disputed such claims. The automaker said that the hybrid system increases the durability of the tires, pads and brake discs. Most potential buyers are also concerned about the cars’ battery pack, which they have likened to a ticking time bomb. They assume the battery can easily fail and is expensive to replace. Honda has however disputed these claims and stated that reliability is not a major issue with hybrid cars.
A Toyota spokesman said that there is rarely the need to replace hybrid components under the specified warranty. These components are designed in such a way that they can last the entered car’s life. The spokesman further confirmed that the hybrid technology works and is reliable. There are still MK1 Prius’ that are still working, meaning that the durability of the battery is not an issue.
Even for the second-hand hybrid car market, nothing is there to worry about. Most of these cars have batteries that are still under their respective warranties. The length of these warranties varies from one automaker to another. While the car’s warranty depends on the manufacturer, the hybrid technology warranty can last up to 8 years. It is highly unlikely for one to replace the entire battery pack of a second-hand hybrid. Perhaps what may need replacement are the dead cells within the car, and this would further cut costs. Even after using a hybrid car for 10 years, 80 percent efficiency can still be expected. Hence, you should invest in a hybrid car today.