Unexpected Benefits of Owning a Hybrid Car

These days, many drivers are purchasing electric vehicles. And the idea of ​​doing so may appeal to you.

But there is another option to consider. It is a hybrid car. My husband and I owned a 2007 Toyota Prius (the world’s first mass-produced passenger car hybrid) that was basically grounded and we only replaced it last year after running it for 16 years. And our experience was generally a good one. Here are some of the benefits you’ll get if you decide to buy a hybrid yourself:

1. You may spend much less compared to an EV.

Edmunds says hybrid cars can cost 20% more than cars powered by conventional gas engines. However, according to Kelley Blue Book research, in December 2023, EV buyers spent an average of $50,798 on fully electric models. Compared to that

It’s clear that you’ll likely be spending a lot less with the 2024 Toyota Prius Hybrid, which starts at $28,745. This is a good thing at a time when auto loan rates (and general loan costs) are rising.

2. Your insurance costs may be manageable

The more expensive your car is, the more likely you are to pay car insurance premiums. This is because the more expensive your car is, the more it will cost the insurance company to replace or repair it if an accident occurs. The cost of insuring a hybrid vehicle may be slightly higher compared to a car with a gasoline engine, but the cost of car insurance may be minimal compared to what you would spend on EV insurance.

3. You don’t need a special mechanic when your car needs maintenance.

When my husband and I purchased our Prius, we spent most of our time visiting our local Toyota dealership for maintenance and repairs. At the time, many regular mechanics did not have the tools or knowledge needed to work on hybrid vehicles.

But these days, many standard car dealerships are equipped to work on hybrids. This means that it may be more convenient to schedule maintenance appointments when you need them, and you may not have to spend a lot of money to fix problems that arise.

In contrast, despite EVs becoming increasingly popular, not all auto repair shops can service them. If you buy an EV instead of a hybrid, maintenance costs may be higher than you expect.

4. You can enjoy the convenience of not having to constantly refuel or charge.

As life gets busier, having to constantly run to the gas station can become a burden. Likewise, when heading to your destination, it’s not always convenient to stop and plug in your car to charge like an EV.

With hybrids, you generally get better fuel economy, which means you can take longer to fill up the tank. and you do If you start to run out of gas, you can fuel up at a gas station for 10 minutes instead of having to wait hours for your car to recharge.

Another option to consider

There are many benefits to owning a hybrid car, so you might want to consider a hybrid car over a gas engine-powered car, even if the cost is higher. And you may want to consider a hybrid car rather than an EV for the cost savings and convenience of being able to fill up and go.

That said, you can consider another option: a plug-in hybrid.

My husband and I have one of these now, and even though we paid for it, we get about 40 miles of range the car can run on a charge before it runs out of gas. This means we spend less on fuel. At the same time, our car is suitable for long distance travel. have To stop charging, it will revert to gas when there is no charge. So if you’re tempted to get into an electric car but aren’t sure if now is the right time, you might want to consider a plug-in hybrid.

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