What are the Pros and Cons of Hybrid Cars?

More and more, you’ve likely noticed an increasing number of hybrid cars on St Louis streets. If you’re considering making the switch to a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), you’ve surely wondered, are hybrid cars good for driving in Ballwin? Are hybrid cars worth it? At BMW of West St Louis we know there are many benefits of hybrid cars, and we’d love to share them with you if you’re wondering about the pros and cons of hybrid cars. Take a look at what you get—and what you don’t—when you choose a hybrid car. 

Benefits of Hybrid Cars

There are many benefits of hybrid cars, from saving gas money to leaving a smaller carbon footprint. Here are the biggest benefits of hybrid cars, and the reasons we think hybrid cars are good for Ladue driving:

• Energy Efficiency: When you drive a hybrid car, the engine uses gasoline, but also uses energy from a battery. With a PHEV, that energy comes from plugging the car into a charger. They’re more energy efficient than traditional gas-powered cars, so you’ll use less fuel and put fewer emissions into the environment. 
• Ownership Costs: Hybrid prices are competitive with the price of conventional gasoline cars, and they’re covered with extensive warranty coverage on their batteries. In addition, you might be eligible for tax incentives when you make the switch to a hybrid. 
• Diverse Variety: The days of only having a small sedan as your hybrid option are long gone. Today you can find powerful SUVs and sport sedans with hybrid engines. Especially when you choose a hybrid vehicle from BMW, you’ll enjoy everything about the higher BMW performance with all the benefits of a hybrid car. 

Potential Cons of Hybrid Cars

Okay, we’ll admit that while we’re big fans of the BMW hybrid line-up, there are some potential downsides to making the switch. Here’s what we think you should know about the pros and cons of hybrid cars: 

• Price: Hybrid cars typically cost more upfront than gas-powered vehicles. Of course, you can make up for the cost in fuel savings and federal incentives, but initially, you can expect a higher sales or lease price. Shop our new vehicle specials in Manchester and find a great deal on the BMW hybrid you want. 
• Maintenance Costs: Although hybrid cars often require less maintenance than gas-powered cars, hybrid car maintenance costs can be higher, especially if the battery needs to be replaced. Hybrid car batteries can cost around $2,000+, depending on the model and size of the battery.
• Hybrid Emissions: Hybrid vehicles are more environmentally-friendly than gas-powered cars but less so than EVs. If zero-emissions performance is your main goal, consider an all-electric alternative. 

Decide if Hybrid Cars are Worth it With BMW of West St Louis

Are you thinking the benefits of hybrid cars outweigh the cons? We think so! For more information about BMW models, including our hybrids, pay a visit to our BMW information hub. You’ll find news and information about BMW models and features that can help you the decision on which BMW is best for you.