Are Hybrid Cars Better for the Environment?
While hybrid vehicles still have combustion engines that run on petrol or diesel, there are still more fuel-efficient than standard car types. Hybrid cars also have electric motors that assist the engine. These cars consume less fuel and release fewer harmful gases into the atmosphere.
Below is a list of the environmental benefits of hybrid vehicles.
Better Air Quality in Urban Areas
One of the top benefits of hybrid vehicles is their contribution to improving the air quality in many major cities in the UK. Hybrid owners can drive their cars using electricity alone, especially at short distances and slower speeds.
Hybrid cars are ideal for city driving, and since they don’t produce as much exhaust emissions as traditional diesel or petrol cars, hybrids significantly reduce overall pollution.
With more buyers choosing green vehicles, our cities will have cleaner streets that are better for cyclists, pedestrians, and urban residents. A single green hybrid car can save about 1.5 million grams of carbon dioxide in just one year. It’s the same amount of pollution produced by four return flights to Barcelona from London. Imagine if we only have eco-friendly cars!
Emissions During Car Production
For now, our hybrid cars aren’t entirely green. It’s because producing these cars still requires a lot of energy. But even so, they are still amongst the most environmentally friendly option vehicle types since they have fewer emissions in their lifetime.
Hybrid vehicles produce more emissions than conventional vehicles because of the lithium-ion batteries needed to run them. About one-third of the lifetime carbon dioxide emissions from hybrid car production comes from the energy utilised in making the vehicle itself. But as technology evolves, the pollution from hybrid and electric car manufacturing will decrease.
Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling
There is a growing market focused on recycling and reusing batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. Many studies are conducted to look for better ways to recycle old batteries and reuse them using new technologies.
One idea is that these batteries can be reused in households to store energy in the future, thus reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing electric vehicle batteries.
Why Buy Hybrid Instead of Conventional?
Save Money on Fuel
Hybrid cars can run independently or simultaneously using the electric motor and combustion engine. This means your vehicle will need less fuel, reducing the amount of money you spend on refilling your tank.
If you have a plug-in hybrid, you’ll be spending less to fully charge it than getting a full tank of petrol or diesel. Depending on the hybrid vehicle type you own, you can drive it using electricity solely when you’re in urban areas for short trips. You can also use battery power or fuel alternately for long drives.
Fewer Emissions
When your car produces fewer exhaust emissions, it’s good for the environment and your wallet – the lower the vehicle emissions, the lower the road tax you need to pay. If you have a full-electric car, you’ll be exempt from paying tax and congestion charges since your vehicle doesn’t have tailpipe emissions and can save considerable money in a year.
Instant Torque and No Idling
Electric motors give you maximum torque almost instantly. There is no wait for the engine to spool, just as in conventional vehicles. Electric and hybrid cars can certainly match petrol or diesel cars.
Also, your car won’t be burning fuel whenever you’re stuck in traffic as the engine idles. Hybrid vehicles will switch off their engines automatically, but your electronic components will continue functioning. Hybrid cars are designed to be energy-efficient.
Higher Vehicle Resale Value
When the time comes that you’ve decided to sell your hybrid vehicle, you can still get good money out of it. Electric and hybrid cars depreciate much slower than conventional petrol or diesel vehicles. There’s a massive demand for hybrids in the used car market, so you won’t have long to wait to find a buyer for your car.
Takeaway
Hybrid cars are not yet wholly green because they still use petrol or diesel, and manufacturing them produces emissions and uses energy. However, during the whole lifespan of the vehicle, it will contribute less pollution overall than conventional vehicles. So it’s still an excellent eco-friendly choice for new car buyers.
Are you looking to scrap or sell your old car and buy a hybrid vehicle instead?
Call Reclamet today on:01843 800800 for a detailed quote
or use our scrap car form: https://www.reclamet.co.uk/scrap-my-car
