Change CountryPower Solutions... Hybrid Myth Busters
Myth: Hybrid batteries fail and need to be replaced as often as regular batteries.
Batteries made for hybrid vehicles are designed to perform for the life of the vehicle, typically 10 years or 150,000 miles. The designs are validated using a range of test that expose the battery to both extreme electrical operating conditions and environmental conditions in terms of heat, cold, humidity, vibration.
If for some reason the battery does need to be replaced it is considered original equipment for your vehicle and is something that your dealer will replace. It has the same warranty coverage as other original equipment components of a vehicle.
Myth: Hybrid vehicles are small and can’t go very fast on the road.
Hybrid electric vehicles are available in all shapes and sizes, and more are being introduced every day. There are currently more than 65 makes of hybrid electric vehicles on the road and available for purchase today, ranging from smaller coupes and sedans to trucks, SUVs and vans.
And, unless you’re interested in taking your hybrid out on a race track, you don’t need to worry about speed restrictions. Hybrid electric vehicles can travel at the same speeds as conventional vehicles. For example, the 2009 Lexus 450 Hybrid can go zero-to-60 in 5.2 seconds, 60-to-zero braking in 123 feet…definitely not slow.
Myth: The cost of a hybrid vehicle outweighs the gas savings benefit.
The cost of a hybrid electric vehicle may be more than a conventional vehicle of similar characteristics, but that cost difference should come down as the number of hybrids sold increases. Even so, the payback based on fuel savings for some hybrids can be as low as 2 or 3 years depending on driving conditions and driving style.
Myth: High-voltage batteries will hurt emergency/rescue workers.
Hybrid electric vehicle batteries are designed to disconnect when the vehicle is not running. In the event of an accident the battery will also disconnect in order to prevent any electrical shock hazard from endangering emergency rescue workers.
Myth: Since gas prices are down, there is no reason to buy a hybrid.
Market research indicates that consumers buy hybrids for a variety of reasons. Saving money on gas is one reason, but consumers also buy hybrids to take advantage of tax incentives, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil, and because they enjoy the driving experience.
Myth: Hybrid vehicles will solve all of our transportation-related energy and environmental problems.
Hybrid electric vehicles and other energy-efficient vehicles are an important part of the solution to reducing the green house gas emissions caused by the millions of cars, trucks, buses, and commercial vehicles on the road today. However, HEVs cannot solve the transportation problem alone. Other energy efficient transportation solutions include options such as walking, biking, e-biking, public transportation, high-speed rail and trains – in other words, a fundamental shift in how we as consumers think about how to get from one place to the next.
Myth: Hybrid vehicles are a fad—a trend that will fade away.
Hybrid market projections vary widely – from as low as 5 percent of the market by 2015 to as high as 80 percent of the market by 2015 – but one thing is certain, hybrids are here to stay. Nearly every major automaker in the world either offers hybrid options today or has plans to launch new hybrid platforms over the next several years. Additionally, multiple automakers have announced plans for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, set to be available to consumers in 2012.
Myth: All Hybrid cars are the same.
This would be like saying all gas cars are the same! As with any other product you purchase, each hybrid has its own unique characteristics, including a range of vehicle size options, interior features, and engine size. They also offer different degrees of hybrid functionality ranging from mild to full to, eventually, plug-in, each of which will deliver greater levels of fuel economy performance.
There are currently more than 65 makes of hybrid electric vehicles on the road and available for purchase today, ranging from smaller coupes and sedans to trucks, full-size SUVs and vans.
► Download Page as PDF
Batteries made for hybrid vehicles are designed to perform for the life of the vehicle, typically 10 years or 150,000 miles. The designs are validated using a range of test that expose the battery to both extreme electrical operating conditions and environmental conditions in terms of heat, cold, humidity, vibration.
If for some reason the battery does need to be replaced it is considered original equipment for your vehicle and is something that your dealer will replace. It has the same warranty coverage as other original equipment components of a vehicle.
Myth: Hybrid vehicles are small and can’t go very fast on the road.
Hybrid electric vehicles are available in all shapes and sizes, and more are being introduced every day. There are currently more than 65 makes of hybrid electric vehicles on the road and available for purchase today, ranging from smaller coupes and sedans to trucks, SUVs and vans.
And, unless you’re interested in taking your hybrid out on a race track, you don’t need to worry about speed restrictions. Hybrid electric vehicles can travel at the same speeds as conventional vehicles. For example, the 2009 Lexus 450 Hybrid can go zero-to-60 in 5.2 seconds, 60-to-zero braking in 123 feet…definitely not slow.
Myth: The cost of a hybrid vehicle outweighs the gas savings benefit.
The cost of a hybrid electric vehicle may be more than a conventional vehicle of similar characteristics, but that cost difference should come down as the number of hybrids sold increases. Even so, the payback based on fuel savings for some hybrids can be as low as 2 or 3 years depending on driving conditions and driving style.
Myth: High-voltage batteries will hurt emergency/rescue workers.
Hybrid electric vehicle batteries are designed to disconnect when the vehicle is not running. In the event of an accident the battery will also disconnect in order to prevent any electrical shock hazard from endangering emergency rescue workers.
Myth: Since gas prices are down, there is no reason to buy a hybrid.
Market research indicates that consumers buy hybrids for a variety of reasons. Saving money on gas is one reason, but consumers also buy hybrids to take advantage of tax incentives, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil, and because they enjoy the driving experience.
Myth: Hybrid vehicles will solve all of our transportation-related energy and environmental problems.
Hybrid electric vehicles and other energy-efficient vehicles are an important part of the solution to reducing the green house gas emissions caused by the millions of cars, trucks, buses, and commercial vehicles on the road today. However, HEVs cannot solve the transportation problem alone. Other energy efficient transportation solutions include options such as walking, biking, e-biking, public transportation, high-speed rail and trains – in other words, a fundamental shift in how we as consumers think about how to get from one place to the next.
Myth: Hybrid vehicles are a fad—a trend that will fade away.
Hybrid market projections vary widely – from as low as 5 percent of the market by 2015 to as high as 80 percent of the market by 2015 – but one thing is certain, hybrids are here to stay. Nearly every major automaker in the world either offers hybrid options today or has plans to launch new hybrid platforms over the next several years. Additionally, multiple automakers have announced plans for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, set to be available to consumers in 2012.
Myth: All Hybrid cars are the same.
This would be like saying all gas cars are the same! As with any other product you purchase, each hybrid has its own unique characteristics, including a range of vehicle size options, interior features, and engine size. They also offer different degrees of hybrid functionality ranging from mild to full to, eventually, plug-in, each of which will deliver greater levels of fuel economy performance.
There are currently more than 65 makes of hybrid electric vehicles on the road and available for purchase today, ranging from smaller coupes and sedans to trucks, full-size SUVs and vans.
► Download Page as PDF
MEDIA CONTACTS
Power Solutions
Rebecca Fitzgerald
Global Communications Director
414.524.2945
Rebecca_K_Fitzgerald_AT_jci_com
Rebecca Fitzgerald
Global Communications Director
414.524.2945
Rebecca_K_Fitzgerald_AT_jci_com
