With the unveiling of the 2023 Toyota Prius, interest in hybrids has once again been piqued. The Prius has been the Japanese brand's poster child for the last 25 years when it comes to fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, the technology honed from four previous generations of the Prius has made it across the Toyota and Lexus lineups further enhancing both brands' green credentials over the years.

Nowadays, hybrid cars are becoming more popular, and more affordable, each day as it comes with environmental and financial advantages. But like any kind of new technology, it also comes with good and bad points that should be taken into consideration before buying a hybrid car. Simply put, hybrid cars are not the best solution for everyone’s commute and needs. So here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether a hybrid car is right for you.

Pros of Owning a Hybrid Car

Improved Fuel Economy

This is probably the biggest advantage because the electric motor can take over or assist the gasoline engine, drastically reducing fuel consumption. For short journeys at slow speeds, or in stop-start traffic, they actually use no fuel at all. That’s because, when possible, they run purely on their electric motor and the hybrid's battery. Overall, the hybrid car clearly gets better fuel economy than a normal car.

Eco-Friendly

Hybrid cars are ideal for city driving since they don't produce as much exhaust emissions as traditional diesel or petrol cars. With their internal combustion engines tuned for fuel efficiency and only running when needed to charge the small batteries or to add assist when accelerating, hybrids offer reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Another benefit of hybrid cars is their contribution to improving air quality. If there are more and more hybrid cars, we will have cleaner streets and cleaner air that are better for cyclists, pedestrians, and urban residents.

Smooth and Quiet Engine

Hybrid cars offer smooth and responsive power while producing less noise on the road. They also have super-quiet engines. When a hybrid car drives down the street, you might not hear anything at all. Moreover, an electric motor provides higher torque compared to a traditional gasoline engine. This allows a hybrid car to accelerate faster and with little to no noise, resulting in a smoother drive.

Number Coding Exemptions

Under Republic Act (R.A.) 11697 or the “Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act,” which lapsed into law on Apr. 15, 2022, Electric Vehicles, which includes hybrids, are exempted from all number-coding schemes until April 2030. The number coding scheme is the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), which prohibits certain vehicles on the road based on the last digit of their license plate.

Tax Cuts

Currently, under Philippine law, pure electric vehicles are 100 percent exempted from excise tax while Hybrid plug-in electric cars enjoy a 50-percent exemption. But the Philippine government is still planning to temporarily suspend the collection of taxes imposed on imported electric vehicles in the country, eyeing the implementation of such measures for several years to help the industry flourish.

No Range Anxiety

The fear that you won't have enough charge to make it from point A to point B, is a common concern amongst 100% Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) owners as there are only a few charging stations outside the Metro. This is not an issue with hybrid cars as there’s always the internal combustion engine that the car can utilize to get you where you’re going. Obviously, fueling up is still faster than charging a BEV.

Cons of Owning a Hybrid Car

More costly  

This is one of the main factors why hybrid cars are not able to go on par with conventional cars in terms of sales figures. Part of the reason for the increased cost is the extra equipment required to build a hybrid car. Aside from the conventional gasoline engine, a hybrid car needs an electric motor, generator, a high-voltage battery pack, and more. In most cases, hybrids are bundled with higher-end features like power options and technology and safety add-ons that further drive up the cost.

Low performance

Most hybrid cars are primarily designed to be fuel-efficient cars where top speed and sheer neck-snapping acceleration are not a priority. While some are designed to offer a boost of power, most hybrid systems operate at their best at lower speeds. Keep in mind that most hybrids allow the gasoline engine to stop running while sitting in traffic, coasting, or even when the car is driving at lower speeds. A typical hybrid car uses a quieter electric motor to conserve fuel and produce fewer emissions.

More tech

Hybrid cars carry the latest technology available from the manufacturer. All hybrid cars sold here are assembled abroad, so the local technicians are for the most part unfamiliar with the components of a hybrid system. This makes fixing a hybrid a tricky thing to do just in case something goes wrong and you're in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention the availability of hybrid-specific spare parts such as batteries. It can also mean more costly repairs in the long run.

Higher acquisition cost vs gas savings

Given today’s fuel pump prices, the collective amount of money saved on fuel may not instantly outweigh the higher cost of buying a hybrid car in the Philippines. More so for those who are paying monthly dues for their car loan.

The Bottom Line

Before you get yourself a hybrid car, consider what you have to gain—like saving money on fuel while lessening your carbon footprint. Take a good look at your lifestyle and expectations for a car first. A hybrid car may fit your budget and commute, but it might not offer the performance and style you’re looking for.