Hybrids may be quite popular in other countries in the world, but in the Philippines, they have yet to win over discerning customers. Despite offering benefits like reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions, many buyers are still hesitant to give them a try.
It’s likely because there’s still a lot buyers don’t understand about hybrids. There are also a lot of myths about what they can and can’t do. Here, we’ll address the top myths to make sure you are fully informed.
Myth #1: Electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles are basically the same.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) rely on only one power source (the electric motor) while a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), as the name suggests, runs on a combination of a petrol engine and an electric motor. True, they both use electricity as a power source, but hybrids also have a second, independent power source: the petrol engine.
Myth # 2: Hybrid cars need to be charged before use.
Hybrids do not need to be plugged in to be charged. They recharge by themselves using the motion and braking of the car. This is called “regenerative braking” and is what makes hybrids unique and convenient as electrified vehicles. Hybrids are perfect for the Philippines since there’s no need for added infrastructure like charging stations. Simply drive, even when the battery is low and the it will recharge on its own for use later.
Myth # 3: Hybrids are difficult to maintain.
Hybrids don’t need any special maintenance. Like a regular car, hybrids like the Prius, Corolla Hybrid, or Corolla Cross, just need to be brought to your local Toyota dealer for their preventive maintenance service (PMS).
In fact, for added piece-of-mind, Toyota provides a five-year warranty on the hybrid battery alongside the standard three-year warranty on the vehicle itself. This doesn’t mean you’ll need to replace the battery after five years. Toyota’s Hybrid batteries are designed to last as long as the car itself with proper care and maintenance.
Myth # 4: Driving a hybrid through a flood can electrocute you.
You definitely won’t get electrocuted. It’s no different from a conventional vehicle since both hybrids and conventional vehicles have their engines at similar positions. Engineers have actually thought of situations like floods and have designed the power to shut off once in contact with water. Toyota has tested hybrids in simulated flood situations to ensure its safety. You can watch one such test HERE just to see how safe it is even when driven through a flood.
Myth #5: Hybrids are expensive.
Hybrids are a lot more affordable now and even priced competitively to their conventional gasoline counterparts. Hybrids are also known for their fuel-efficiency, so you’ll also save a lot on fuel in the long run. Toyota has many hybrids to choose from, from the iconic Toyota Prius to hybrid variants of the Toyota Corolla Altis sedan and Toyota Corolla Cross.
Myth #6: Hybrids are hard to drive.
Hybrids don’t require any special technique. If you know how to drive a conventional vehicle, then you can drive a hybrid. The hybrid system is very intelligent and is designed to automatically switch between EV and gas mode to get the most out of your fuel. Hybrids are actually the easiest to drive among electrified vehicles. Just don’t forget to gas them up like your conventional car (just less frequently).
The idea of powering a car with a battery may seem unusual to us, but hybrids are designed to make that switch as easy as possible. No need for charging stations. No worrying about running out of juice in the middle of a trip. Toyota Motor Philippines offers several hybrid models now ready to drive on Philippine roads.