If you listen to the makers, hybrid cars are the best invention since sliced bread. While there are many reasons to buy a hybrid car, including a new tax incentive for US owners, it helps to have a good understanding of how they work. This article explores the myths, benefits and drawbacks of owning one of these new “green” vehicles.
First off: What is a hybrid car? Basically, it’s a normal, fuel efficient car that has two motors - an electric motor and a gasoline powered motor. It also has a special system to capture braking energy to store in an onboard battery.
Why a hybrid? Why not a straight gas or electric powered car? After all, one of the basic rules of science is the more complex the system - two motors instead on one - the more often it will break down. This is the main reason many boat owners prefer one motor instead of the “double trouble” of two - despite the obvious safety advantages. This is a hard question and, in the minds of some experts, not fully answered.