Keen on a hybrid car? Consider the pros and cons

With the popularity and availability of hybrid cars compared to fully electric vehicles in South Africa continuing to increase, speculation is that it could well be seen as the eventual replacement for diesel in the long run.

Bolstered by most automakers switching from oil-burners to hybrids in readiness for the stringent Euro 7 emissions regulations, plus Europe’s planned banning of all internal combustion engines by 2035, the uptake and rollout is anticipated to increase in the years to come.

Before going hybrid

In spite of the pending hybrid vehicle boom in South Africa, motus.cars affiliate, MotorHappy, has called for caution and careful research from buyers interested in buying a hybrid.

At present, the locally-made Toyota Corolla Cross, in mid-range Xs spec, opens South Africa’s hybrid vehicle account with a asking price of R442 400.

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According to MotorHappy’s Marketing Director, Barend Smit, the promise of improved fuel consumption and better power response hybrids have become known for shouldn’t be the sole consideration taken into account when purchasing such a vehicle.

“With the high price of EVs, a hybrid vehicle might be a stepping stone towards all-electric, offering two clear benefits: enhanced fuel efficiency and lower emissions,” Smit said.

While the country grapples with ongoing electricity issues and better infrastructure for EVs is installed, hybrid cars are a good transitional option.

Hybrid pros and cons

The following needs to be weighed-up before the decision is made to buy a hybrid vehicle, Smit cautioned.

• Pros
• Lower sulphur and nitrogen oxides emissions;
• No range anxiety as it has a second engine compared to an EV;
• Quieter than a conventional petrol car;
• Savings at the pumps; and
• Less wear and tear on the car’s engine means less maintenance.

• Cons
• Higher upfront costs despite being cheaper than EVs;
• Batteries are expensive and will need to be changed after 10 years;
• High repair costs; and
• Not economical on highways due to the petrol engine being used more often.

“If you’re going to choose a hybrid model, it’s advisable to choose a newer model with the latest technology to avoid reliability issues,” Smit added.

More information on MotorHappy can be found here.