Why one should consider a hybrid car as the world transitions into clean energy

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Hybrid cars are increasingly becoming popular due to the skyrocketing fuel prices and the global shift towards electric mobility.

A lot of Ugandans on the contrary shy away from purchasing hybrid cars due to myths such as high maintenance aside from the purchase price.

Due to the increased adoption of hybrid cars, the majority of the latest cars are released with hybrid versions making them more accessible and affordable for the average driver.

Gasta Kevin Opondo, the marketing lead at Autocheck Uganda unpacks the myths and truths about hybrid cars as the world transitions into clean energy.

What is a hybrid car?

A hybrid vehicle has a combination of a normal petrol engine and an electric motor that help to move the vehicle. In some instances, the electric motor is used entirely and in other instances, the petrol engine, but mostly they work together which results in less fuel consumption.

The electricity supplied by the high-voltage battery pack in addition to the car’s normal battery is recharged by capturing energy from deceleration that would otherwise be lost due to heat generated by the brakes in normal petrol-engine cars.

Types of Hybrid Cars

There are two types of hybrid cars. The first is a regular hybrid car with a petrol engine and a battery that is recharged by the car itself. Any excess power produced by the engine, such as when it idles or brakes, is used to charge the battery for later use.

The second type of hybrid is a plug-in hybrid. These cars have larger batteries than can be charged by the car itself as well as an external source of electricity.

Here are five reasons why you should buy a hybrid car.

Increased Fuel Efficiency

Did you know for short journeys and low speeds, hybrid cars use no fuel at all? Most hybrid cars are self-charging which means they have regenerative braking technology. In short, you travel more using pure electric energy as compared to fuel.

Less Maintenance

There is less strain on the engine due to the automatic switching off of the engine in hybrid cars and also to regenerative braking parts. They also have a longer oil change interval because the combustion engine is not used as often, resulting in less maintenance costs.

Regenerative Braking System

Every time you hit the brakes of a hybrid car, the battery gets charged. Energy is released when an internal mechanism kicks in and this in turn helps charge the battery.

This automatically reduces the amount of fuel spent and reduces the wear and tear of brakes.

Better Resale Value

Hybrid cars are known for offering maximum utility with good overall reliability. With the current high cost of fuel, there is an undeniable increase in demand and popularity for fuel-efficient cars making hybrid cars the best option in any segment.

Considering their low running costs and affordable Hybrid maintenance to comprehensive Hybrid battery warranties, residual values are on average 4% higher than conventional cars

Environment Friendly

Hybrid cars are powered by two different types of energy which are petrol and electricity. They also use the same petrol as regular cars but because of their fuel efficiency, they consume less and hence burn less carbon.

Conclusion

Apart from their high level of efficiency, hybrid cars convert up to 80% of the energy produced to power, unlike their normal standard petrol or diesel which convert only up to 30% of the same.

You are also guaranteed to resell your hybrid car at a reasonable price. Some of the hybrid cars can be found on https://autochek.africa/en/ug.