Pros and Cons of Hybrid Cars

[MrBingping]

there are no pros to hybrids. deisel ftw (if u wanna be green anyway...)

[jf99151]

Its not the landfills. Its the processing of large amounts of Nickel that puts sulfur into the air. You get sulfuric acid. Acid rain. You can't recycle batteries for ever, they will have to be put ''somewhere''.

[USPSAman]

When it comes gas with the current price of gas you would have to drive your hybrid car over 100,000 miles in order to begin to see financial benefits because of the extra thousands of dollars to buy a hybrid cars. As far as the environment hybrid cars are worse than regular cars because of the production process. The creation of the battery causes mass pollution and acid rain due to production, mining, and shipping.

[Antithropocentric]

@USPSAman, you're repeating a canard that probably came from the infamous CNW "Dust to Dust" study. It made several false claims but persists as gospel. Here is a good debunking article: "Prius Versus HUMMER: Exploding the Myth"

Many people who repeat the CNW study as "truth" tend to show little concern for pollution except when they use angles like that to bash people for driving something efficient. Same goes for those who complain of Al Gore's mansion while ignoring their own gluttony.

[MRBRAD9070]

i have a solution to the low power in hybrids problem.........a turbo charger that is spun up by the electric motor!!

[NearAbbeyRoad]

Toyota expect a 12 years life from the batteries. After car use they are still usable for other use. The Prius has no auto transmission. To replace a failed transmission after 12 years will cost far more than a new battery set. In 12 years a new battery set will be cheaper and give a longer range improving mpg.

Batteries are getting better (the new Toshiba). Putting a larger set in a hybrid will boost the performance and economy in one simple swoop. Hybrids are being future proofed.

[NearAbbeyRoad]

Prius was out in 1997 - batteries are known. He says batteries are being recycled, so what is the problem? Prices will drop when hybrids are mainstream.

Once Wankel small, light engines are used as range extenders and the Toshiba battery made in volume, expect the Hybrid to run on battery for most of running time.

Lotus are making a 3 cyl small light range extender engine for anyone to buy or license.

Any cons of hybrids is transitional.

[Angeluskitty]

Try telling the truth. This is the new bubble. Cyber, housing...now green. You know the people are not as stupid as you all think.

[meringu]

what about the creation of the batteries and how much crude oil goes into refining the materials for the batteries? hybrids are propaganda

[NearAbbeyRoad]

@meringu says

"hybrids are propaganda"

They are not, they are real and many are made. The Prius is brilliant to drive. It is worth buy just to drive it, never mind the rest of it. I believe the Chevy Volt is as well.

[AntiGrav82]

Is it possible to drive hybrids without being smug about it?

[stupidMtcarmel]

This seemed to be more con than pro. Cost wise he is full of shit there are hybrids out there that cost significantly less than many mid sized sedans. Battery wise, they do go out my hybrid now is at 100k and doing great and is 6 years old. Maintenance wise there has only been routine issues that every car has. Do some research people talk to those who own one and see what they think they are the experts. There could be improvements with mine but they have nothing to do with this video.

[stupidMtcarmel]

This seemed to be more con than pro. Cost wise he is full of shit there are hybrids out there that cost significantly less than many mid sized sedans. Battery wise, they do go out my hybrid now is at 100k and doing great and is 6 years old. Maintenance wise there has only been routine issues that every car has. Do some research people talk to those who own one and see what they think they are the experts. There could be improvements with mine but they have nothing to do with this video.

[Sony18241]

Oh, and most importantly. Please, please, please. Make these hybrids or whatever else you invent in the future affordable. Not just more affordable, but affordable to the extent that i'm putting myself in debt so far that my great, great, great-grandchildren have my debt from 120 years ago. I know this technology is expensive, but seriously, 25 to 30 grand, for a little tini sadan? and 5 grand to replace the battery?! I don't know where you live that money grows on trees, but i wanna live there!

[Sony18241]

I think that people (environmentalists, scientists, and anyone else worrying about it) should just say, ok, lets cut back on driving, use pub. transportation, and STOP freaking out about all this!!! Why not? Granted, we WILL run out of fossil fuels, and when that day comes, we'll begin mass-production of alternate fuel sources. We've already got a killer head start on it. So let those who wish to have them, have them. And "Stop" trying to make those who don't wish to have it right now, have it!

[Sony18241]

You ever wonder if maybe the gov't is helping keep the gas prices high, is all so they can try and force us all to buy hybrids? Truth told, i'm an educated person, and i just don't see all the fuss about "saving the environment" i live in the country, and i'll tell ya, it STILL looks beautiful out here. I breathe fresh air every morning!

[Sony18241]

Honestly, i think i'll stick with my Toyoda Tundra. Yeah, it eats up A LOT of gas, but at least i wont get stuck in the freaking snow with it!!! At least i can haul stuff in it. What can you haul inside a prius, beside a pillow and maybe 3 passengers (confortably)? What's the prius's top speed? I'm assuming that's the one normal thing about it. If my neighbor ouned a prius, i'd have to go every day to drag him out of the snow with my Tundra. Even with crapy mpg's.

[Sony18241]

i am all for saving the envoronment. But some of us, cannot survive on a small compact hybrid year-round! I live in a location where i get between 3 and 5 ft. of snow from oct. through march or april, and the roads are not very well kept. I cannot drive a little winni car though 3 to 5 ft. of snow! i'd be stuck before i made it 10 ft.!!! Another concern: If they make a truck or SUV hybrid, will it have the same amount of horse power and tourque as my current biest? Honestly i doubt it.

[Sony18241]

ok, my question is, when the batteries need replaced, how much is it going to cost me, and can i do it myself? from what i've heard, no i can't, and the battery will cost me between 3 and 5,000 dallors. personally, i really don't know. But a friend of mine who owns one, says, yes the gas milege is great! But the hybrid part doesn't even kick in until you hit 40 mph in many of these cars. And they don't to my knowlege anyway, make a hybrid-truck or SUV!

[5959512]

the factory where they build the battery for the prius in canada produces soo much pollution that no trees will grow within 12 miles

[Sony18241]

@5959512 in Canada huh? there's another concern for me. I like to support my own economy, esspecially when it's strugling so much. I cant do that if i'm buying everything i own from out of country now can i? not that i'm mad at YOU mind you. Just the idea.

[Cosmo1093]

Con: Hypermilers on the road.

Pro: They're fun/easy to cut off, flip off, etc.

[pennyf9]

@Cosmo1093 yeah! There so cheap they break easy!

[Me102288]

LOL what a waste of money. I'm using an $140 hho (hydrogen/oxygen) generator to power a generator right now, nothing but WATER comes outta the exaust. typically runs 12 hours a day consuming around 2 ounce's of water... no power loss, no changing to a special engine, its the same little weedwacker engine that runs gasoline. Its spins a custom permanent magnet generator. They've also been install on cars.. some reducing the need for gasoline or diesel COMPLETELY. Theres no need for hybrids.

[Darknight91DRE]

If I wanted an underpowered vehicle with low mpg i'd get a ox-drawn cart instead of a fucking hybrid.

[Fuckalator]

i dont really see the point off getting an hybrid car, 50mpg is not bad but i can get the same or bettre with my diesel jetta tdi and diesel car have a reputation to last really long 400 000 to 600 000+ mile is common so in terms of durability and mpg hybrid dont really stand a chance beside diesel and in europe its even better they have smaller diesel car that can get like 80 mpg easily so why dont we start importing diesel car from europe 

[oryx032000]

The mileage on my hybrid is 210 000 miles !! But the battery is still working good!

[Cosmo1093]

I hate hybirds on the road...or any economy car for that matter..they take too damn long to get up to speed and are always just in the way.

[melmar07]

@Cosmo1093 Overtake on them and give them a dirty finger

[Cosmo1093]

@melmar07 I would...if there wasn't one in each lane..driving at the same slow speed..

[LinkMyBoy]

What about the fact your getting two crappy underpowered engines instead of a single decent one.

[directoress88]

Batteries are cycled?

[dieselplow]

@directoress88 Yes cycled: Cycled is a term used - commonly when referring to a product that can be used multiple times. Therefore it can be "cycled" through its current state of use into a future state of use.  See the dictionary if you have further questions. "Cycled: to cause or go through a cycle"

[directoress88]

@dieselplow Well, I know the meaning of the word 'cycled' but I do not know the process of cycling batteries and thats what I meant by that question. Thank you.

[dieselplow]

@directoress88 There are videos on youtube and articles on the web on how battery manufactures take old batteries - the ones that are turned in at the retail stores and auto repair centers and use the plastics, acids, metal and other components and break them down and make them into new batteries. This is why people are encouraged to turn in all types of batteries from cell phone and small daily batteries to the larger batteries so that they can be "cycled" - given a new life as a new battery.

[gnolhsobners]

I read in magazine it takes a hybrid 10 years of driving to break even in carbon emissions, b/c mining for the battery materials is responsible for huge carbon emissions. By all means get the car for the mileage but dont be smug thinking youre saving the planet unless you plan to keep your hybrid on the road for more than 1 decade. I dont think hybrids are the future of eco friendly cars.

[laxfreak2828]

what car companies go through to produce the special batteries in a hybrid is terrible for the environment. hes wrong about the recycing. specifically the prius is the worst with this.

[hobieslug45]

It's a mess under that hood with high voltage all over and a generator / electric motor in between the engine and tranny. don't plan on keeping this car for any real length of time. I could fix anything on my 93 civic for $200 or less. and that includes installing a new engine . but I only have 350k on it so that won't be necessary for a while . of course, i do my own labor .

[psteveens]

Love my 2006 Prius!

It averages 52 mpg and feels like new with 85k miles.

Hopefully they'll come up with an affordable plug-in electric upgrade. But that's AFTER my 100k warranty expires.

[dortmundpls]

Jeez, I can't believe the totally goofy comments. If you're thinking of buying a hybrid, do your own research and then decide.

[4g63gen1]

After 200,000kms the hybrid is worthless and breaking down. While a clean diesel is just getting started on its long path of life. i dont get the uneducated teachers driving prius ect. Did they not do there research?

[GeeFunk84]

European diesels kick any hybrid's ass still. Around same (immediate!) emission, same or BETTER mileage, lighter (i.e. more agile), great performance. Including the emission caused by the production of battery packages, a diesel is way-way more environment friendly than a hybrid. Looking forward where developments go though.

[hobieslug45]

@GeeFunk84 we in the usa almost received a shipment of diesels but exxon/bp u boats took care of that threat. they would lose approximately half their profits if they allowed this . they know hybrids won't sell to an average American. Like cargerondavins said civic 15 civic hybrid 23. do you realize how much free gas that is for me in my 1.5 civic at 49 mpg

[Roushfan5]

50 MPG IMPROVEMENT!?!?!? WHAT KIND OF CAR TO YOU DRIVE!!!

At the time of this video, the Pirus wasn't even getting 50MPG to start out with. That is the biggest bullshit I have ever heard! Besides their are pently of high milage cars on the road already. Over in the UK Ford is making 60 MPG cars. And they aren't hybrids. Hybrids SUCK.

[CaptainAndrew1991]

@Roushfan5 Holy shit! The Pirus? When did they release that?!

-_-

[Roushfan5]

@CaptainAndrew1991 Oh boohoo, I swapped two letters. For example when had

-_- been a word/letter in the english language?Get over yourself.

[CaptainAndrew1991]

@Roushfan5 Give me a tissue, please.

[bearnurse1]

Hybrids that have a mechanism to recharge the battery WITHOUT having to plug it into an electric outlet definitly have more of a future than plug hybrids

[aminooook]

Yea hybrids recharges itself by regeneration brake XD

Hybrids ROCK!!!!

Stop global warming (Australia here)!!!!

[Russiansnow]

a con is producing biofuels, which takes way more energy to produce than conventional fuels, so in the longrun, there are more emissions. way to go hybrid drivers.

[lirchfein]

what about lithium batteries? recycled as well?

[PetrosLAN]

all

[LoveTheSupremes]

I don't know of anyone who recycles lithium batteries

[videouzleg]

Many hybrids are driving 100 000 miles but batteries are still good.

[chargerondavins]

3000 more for a hybrid?

2009 Civic = 15,000

2009 Civic Hybrid = 23,800

??????

[hobieslug45]

@chargerondavins  I'm 64 years old If I bought the non hybrid I could have free gas for the rest of my life WOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!!

[wertyh11]

@chargerondavins Really !!

$8,000.00 equals to 2666 USG that is 79980 miles WOW.

[melmar07]

@chargerondavins 15,000? What civic variant? Because I don't think that is the EX or the Si model

[chargerondavins]

@melmar07 I put that in here in 08. 3 years later I think the cheapest civic is 19k

[pennyf9]

@chargerondavins I know, hybrids are shitboxes on wheels, Hybrids are ruining the planet because they are so bad!

[Sony18241]

@chargerondavins that is 8 THOUSAND dallors more!!!!!! I don't have that kind of money!!!

[chargerondavins]

@Sony18241 so don't buy a prius. Buy something that actually makes sense, is ACTUALLY good for the environment, and doesn't look like a group of down syndrome kids designed.

[Sony18241]

@chargerondavins well that's the thing. as much as i'd love to save the gas money, and help the envoronment, i cant think of a single car that would give me the power i need to live everyday life in the country, and save the environment. The way i'm seeing it is, you have to sacrifice durrability, power/muscle performance, and sitting up high enough above the snow in order to drive. All so you can get 50 miles to the gallon.

[chargerondavins]

@Sony18241 Not just that, they;re unsafe, expensive to maintain, ugly as sin, and super expensive, not to mention they're not actually good for the environment, the American public as a whole is just "greenwashed"

[Sony18241]

@chargerondavins i couldn't agree more. i'm sure in 50 years, they'll be much cheaper, but until then, i'm gonna stick with what i've got or something similar. Gas will hold out for another hundred years at least, and so will the "envoronment" when cars first became available to the public, they weren't really utilized, now look at 'em, give it another 50 years, hopefully things will take a turn for the better.

[bearnurse1]

It seems to me the most important issues about batteries which you didn't mention is: how to recharge them. Even if you have a garage to park the car in at night while it is recharging, what about if you are in a motel on a trip? and your room is far from your parking space, and what if you are trying to plug the extension cord into the car in the pouring rain?

[xsilentkillx]

i dont think you recharge them.. hybrids make their own electricity whenever you brake i think.

[LoveTheSupremes]

bearnurse1 unlike the Chevrolet Volt, Toyota and Honda don't make plug in hybrids. The battery is recharged by the car's motion; similiar to when you used to attach a small generator to your bicycle light and let the motion of the tire generate power for it.

[totallyfedupwithit]

you have to be a complete moron to waste your money on a hybrid

[chromebomb]

another con is the performance, i dont have 12 seconds to get to 60