Hybrids

A hybrid is a vehicle that has two methods of propulsion, typically, a normal (small sized) gas engine and an electric motor. The electric motor gets its power from a large battery pack usually located at the back of the vehicle. This battery is rechargeable through regenerative braking. In other words, the battery gets charged each time the brakes are applied.

Usually hybrids are more efficient in the city than they are on the highway, which is the opposite regular gas engine vehicles. This is because the electric motor works more frequently in stop and go driving. In this type of driving, the electric motor works in conjunction with the gas motor to propel the vehicle. On the highway, there is less need for the electric motor since the vehicle is usually at a constant speed for an extended period of time.

Hybrids tend to cost more than its regular gas engine counter parts because this technology is fairly new, it's just a little over a decade old, thus the technology is still expensive. Once hybrids become more popular, initial price is expected to decrease, a trend we are already seeing today.

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Top 10 Hybrid Myths:

Myth #1: The battery pack in a hybrid has a short lifespan

Fact: The battery in a typical hybrid has an estimated lifespan of seven to eight years and is covered by warranty for that time period. However, the Toyota Prius has been on sale in Japan since 1997 and no battery has needed replacement to date. This would suggest that the batteries have a longer lifespan than anticipated.

Myth #2: Hybrids aren't worth it because they're too expensive

Fact: Hybrid technology is fairly new, it's just over a decade old. Therefore, hybrids are expensive to make, which means the initial cost is higher than a traditional gas engine car. However, the more hybrids sell the more cost is expected to steadily decrease. We are seeing this decrease today with Honda's Insight (MSRP $23,900). Hybrids also emit minimal amounts of CO2, so in terms of the environment they are definitely worth it. How often you drive and how long you intend on keeping the hybrid plays a factor as to whether not they are worth it money-wise.

Myth #3: Hybrids are not powerful enough for daily driving

Fact: While the engine in a traditional hybrid tends to be small, its combined power with the electric motor translates into more than adequate power for daily driving including city and highway. For instance the top speed of a Toyota Prius is 180 kph and it can reach 0-100 kph in 9.8 seconds. Comparatively it takes a 4 cylinder Toyota Camry 9 seconds to get from 0-100 kph.

Myth #4: Hybrids are costly to maintain and require special maintenance

Fact: Hybrids follow the same maintenance schedule as gas engine vehicles and cost approximately the same amount to service them. There is no special maintenance required.

Myth #5: Hybrids are unreliable due to the added amount of technology

Fact: Most hybrids enjoy good reliability scores and Consumer Reports recently rated the reliability of the 2010 Toyota Prius as 'excellent'.

Myth #6: Hybrids need to be plugged in or they will run out of power

Fact: Since the battery pack, which powers the electric motor, gets charged through regenerative braking, the electric motor will never run out of power. Therefore, it does not need to be plugged in.

Myth #7: You can't jump start a hybrid or use one to jump start another vehicle

Fact: Hybrids work the same way as a gas engine car in this regard as well. Simply find the cable clamp access point and press the start button or turn the key.

Myth #8: The battery pack can catch fire or produce a large shock

Fact: The battery pack is completely sealed and high voltage circuits are protected against accidental contact. There have been no reported incidences regarding the battery pack.

Myth #9: It causes a drain on the environment to make a hybrid due to the nickel extraction. Therefore, hybrids are actually worse for the environment

Fact: The battery pack in a hybrid requires nickel in order to function properly. The nickel gets extracted from the ground from mines. Most of the nickel used for hybrids is sourced from a mine in Sudbury, Ontario. That particular mine has been reducing its pollution steadily since 1970 and has reduced its pollution levels by 90% since then. Nickel is also recyclable. It can be used to make stainless steel and alloy.

To read Kevin Harrison's column called 'Are hybrids actually worse for the environment?' about this issue click here.

Myth #10: All hybrids are the same

Fact: There are different types of hybrids. You may have heard the term mild hybrid or 'series hybrid'. A mild hybrid (also known as a parallel hybrid) is a vehicle which uses a conventional gas engine for power and the electric motor is there to assist as needed for added fuel efficiency. A series hybrid relies mostly on the electric motor for propulsion and a gas engine is there to assist as needed and generates power. A series/parallel hybrid makes use of both engine and electric motor for the best balance of power and efficiency.