Making the Change to a Hybrid Vehicle: 3 Things to Consider

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If you are working hard at reducing your carbon footprint, you know that it’s not just about going down one avenue of change but about assessing so many aspects of your life that you ultimately need to make seismic adjustments. Many of us can find it quite a shock to the system when we have to make specific changes because of our overriding desire to positively impact the environment, and one of those purchases many people make to do this is to purchase a hybrid or electric car. However, when you are considering purchasing one of these, there are a number of important factors that you need to evaluate:  

Performance and Technology  

Many people are now opting for hybrids; however, they are going for mild hybrid systems. Cars like the Audi Q3 Sportback have been useful in reducing emissions while improving fuel economy slightly. It also achieves up to 140 mpg in ideal conditions, but what’s important to remember is that no matter how environmentally friendly a car is, it will depend on your usage.  

Hybrids typically have less horsepower than conventional cars, so this could affect acceleration and overall performance. Also, the hybrid battery and potential replacement costs may not be beneficial in the short term.  

The Cost Considerations 

Hybrid cars are generally more expensive than their conventional counterparts- roughly 20% more. But this is where mild hybrid vehicles can be very useful. However, you do need to factor in potential fuel savings and lower maintenance costs over time. One of the toughest things to come to terms with when people are making their changes to more environmentally friendly methods is the initial upfront cost, but this is why quality over quantity matters every single time.  

Making the Gradual Change

This is one of the best approaches because lots of people are becoming far more hesitant in leaping to a fully electric vehicle. But it can be a smooth process if you consider the following:  

• Starting with a mild hybrid vehicle is an excellent approach because it combines a small electric motor with a traditional internal combustion engine, which improves fuel efficiency and lowers emissions without drastically changing your driving experience.  
• Once you become comfortable with mild hybrid technology, you can transition to a full hybrid vehicle, as these offer better fuel economy and lower emissions compared to traditional petrol cars, but they provide that familiarity of things like refuelling at petrol stations.  
• You could try a plug-in hybrid, as this is an excellent bridge between a conventional and a fully electric vehicle. It offers the ability to run on electric power for shorter distances while still having a petrol engine for longer trips, which can manage anxieties about the range of a vehicle.  
• Keeping up with advancements in electric vehicle technology and charging infrastructure is also another thing to bear in mind because the EV landscape is rapidly changing, with improvements in battery technology and charging networks all the time.  

As you can see, there are a few things to consider, and a lot of people struggle to make the full transition because of the sheer lifestyle change that is necessary. But it’s important to remember that you can absolutely do it, as long as you have the right approaches.