Living in a city where there are not many public transit options, I am forced into a corner where I have to purchase a car, but I still want to do my part to help save our planet. So, I am thinking about buying a hybrid vehicle. Although, I have heard that there are still downsides to operating a hybrid car. So, I set out to do my research on them.

The Cons

There are a few cons that are avoidable, but there is one that no one can avoid. It is up to the owners to make the right decision because the manufacturing of a hybrid/electric car emits more Carbon Dioxide (CO2) than it does to produce a regular fossil-fuel car. Yes, it does create more CO2 to make the hybrid car I am interested in, but in the average "life-span" of both vehicles, the petrol car would emit more CO2. At the end of it all, the hybrid car gave off an average of 70% less carbon dioxide than it did for the petrol car.

When buying a battery for the car, make sure it is not from a major company in China, too. It has been found that when the battery is being made, it produces an average of 60% more CO2. American and German-made batteries have been found to be more environmentally friendly.

Another con is that most hybrid users are not using the vehicle correctly. Drivers charge their vehicles, but when driven long distances, the car would revert to a fossil-fuel burning car. Myself, and fellow-hybrid car users, need to ensure the vehicle is used the way it is supposed to be used.

The Pros

Even with these downsides, there is a good side to all of this. Electric and hybrid vehicles have a long-lasting lifetime, surpassing petrol cars, and their environmental impact is little to none.

With all of this information, I have come to the conclusion of purchasing a hybrid car. I hope this information helps you make your decision when you need a new car, too.