by Sarah Parrish

Created on: August 27, 2011   Last Updated: August 29, 2011

Ever since hybrid cars hit the market full-force, many consumers have touted the advantages of driving a hybrid: it's good for the environment, it uses less gas, it's good for the environment, there's a tax write-off for buying a hybrid, and it's good for the environment.  While it's true that there are many excellent aspects of owning and driving a hybrid car - and the environment thanks them for it - the

disadvantages are often overlooked.

Battery voltage

When a car runs on gas only part of the time and on electricity the other part, it's going to have to pack a powerful battery.  In a traffic accident or auto-collision, these batteries can pose extremely dangerous hazards because the amount of energy the contain can kill a person.  It's also a good idea to refrain from any do-it-yourself work if you aren't familiar with the electrical system of hybrid vehicles.

Hybrid cars are expensive

Fuel-efficient cars save money over the long-term.  That fact isn't lost on the manufacturers and retailers of hybrid vehicles.  While you might end up saving hundreds of dollars in gas money every year, you might end up paying thousands more for the opportunity.  Hybrid cars tend to start at $20,000.  The price has gone down since they first hit the market and will probably continue to do so with healthy market competition, though.

Fair weather friends

Hybrid cars might end up performing as not-so-hybrid in cold weather.  Batteries often don't function at full capacity or perhaps at all in cold conditions.  If one lives in a cold climate, it's prudent to check around the area and see if hybrid car owners find they don't save money on fuel-efficiency because there is no fuel-efficiency.

Silence isn't always golden

Some people rely on the sound an engine makes to know their car is on.  Hybrid cars can be very quiet.  For a driver, this can pose a problem because a driver might stop at a red light and, after the car switches to battery power during idling, the driver thinks the car has shut itself off and tries to start the car again.  For a passerby, quiet cars are dangerous because a pedestrian might think it's safe to walk in front of it even if the driver isn't looking since if the car isn't on, it's not going anywhere.

Hybrid cars might be great for the environment and the future of automobile travel, but before a consumer goes out and spends money on a new vehicle, they're encouraged to make certain it's a car they'll enjoy driving and owning.  Any consumer is benefited by doing a little research before making that purchase.

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