Why make normal engines when we know hybrid technology exists and works?

Question

Hybrid cars are better on gas. Just keep the body styles that we like but outfit the cars with hybrid engines. Continuing to make normal, poor mileage cars is like continuing to make VHS movies in the age of DVD players.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

They still do make VHS.

Until hybrid's cost comes down, there will still be regular engines. New information I have seen coming out is suggesting the hybrid advantage is a lot less than advertised.

I'm not convinced the current technology is worth it in the long haul. I'm guessing it'll be another 10 to 15 years before something worthwhile comes out.

Answer 2

I'm a greenie type, but even toyota admits that over the lifetime of the car, hybrids actually use more energy to build and run than traditional cars. Yikes! Guess it's materials, batteries, and whatnot...

Answer 3

1.Because hybrids are much more expensive
2.Because there will always be ignorant people that don't buy anything with low emissions because the assume they suck
3.many people who love to work on their own cars will not be able to work on a hybrid

Answer 4

There are many reasons..The first being there isnt a large enough selection of hybrid vehicles on the market. Two, hybrids cost significantly more and cost more to maintain.

Additonally, I live in Alaska and the hybrids have alot of problems when it gets cold (-20F and below). Basically, in the winter they are not very reliable.

Answer 5

Because they are so much more expensive that you will never save enough money on buying gas to off-set the increased cost of the car.

The Honda Fit starts at about 14 grand. It gets 37mpg on the highway. The Civic Hybrid costs 9 thousand more. and it gets 50mpg on the highway. thats 12 miles a gallon more. at 2.50 a gallon ... after driving for 100,000 miles.. you would only have saved about 1500 dollars in gas. you would have to drive the car well over 400,000 miles to ever recoup the costs. It makes no financial sense.

Answer 6

In most cases cost. In order to outfit all older models with hybrid technology, they would have to retool the entire plant to make the same looking thing. If they were going that far, why wouldn't they make a newer model that is more streamlined and lighter to further save on fuel?

Answer 7

Because A) hybrid enginges cost more B) Making the normal engines we have obsolete hurts the america auto industry more than other auto industries since we have more invested in old technology, and C) The American oil industry would also take a major hit if consuption went down. These are powerful industries with ALOT of sway. (especially oil )

Answer 8

What so great about today's body styles. I don't care about gas mileage. I don't think many people do. Look at Pickup truck and SUV sales. If it does not have a Big V8 and haul a s s I have no use for it. What to save gas?? Get the people off the road who can't drive. And no I no not have a Pick up or SUV either I hate them as much as hybrid cars. I still prefer VHS over DVDs DVDs damage to easily.

Answer 9

To make a Hybrid work, it NEEDS an engine. Thats why it's called a Hybrid. Synergy between a regular engine, and battery power. So engines will continue to be built to make any Hybrid work unless the vehicle is 100% electric...when then we have to build more power-plants to keep up with demand that those electric vehicles would require.

Plus, hybrid has not yet taken off, and many are still questioning it's future. Other than cost which many are not willing to pay, the jury is still out as to it's reliability, and the depreciation it'll have on the vehicles that will need new battery packs 5-8 years from now. Not everyone can plunk down $5,000 for a new battery pack.

Like any new technology, it'll be many more years and billions more in investments to take us to another level.

Answer 10

you must be a Democrat to believe all the hype of a hybrid car thay are a big joke on the American people,listen to All Gore and he will steer you down the wrong road,there are engines out that produce better mileage and more environment friendly , the GOV. doesn't want us to have economical cars, because thay would loose money