There are many known advantages to owning a hybrid vehicle. The most obvious being the money saved on fuel, the lower CO2 emissions, not to mention the possible tax break from Uncle Sam. But it is true that every coin has two sides. So what exactly are the negatives to buying, owning, and maintaining such a vehicle?

For starters, the ticket price may be an initial drawback. On average a hybrid vehicle is going to run slightly more expensive than your run of the mill gas powered car or truck. In fact, the average cost of most of the new hybrid cars can run you $20,000. And that would be your base model. This cost is mainly due to the manufacturing, the hybrid technology, and the lesser demand for the hybrid car. As the demand for hybrids increase, the cost of manufacturing will decrease, resulting in a decrease of sticker price.

A common concern for potential hybrid car owners is whether or not the battery will last as long as, or longer than a more common 12 volt battery. As it turns out, the life of the nickel hydride batteries  found in the newer hybrid vehicles are made to last as long as the life of the vehicle.

The battery of the hybrid vehicle gets charged when the vehicle is consuming power from the engine. Meaning, some of the power from the engine used to propel the vehicle is simultaneously charging the battery. It also draws energy for charging when the brakes are being applied. So in reality, the battery is being charged almost immediately as it is being used.

Another point of consideration is in the actual manufacturing of the hybrid vehicle. Many of the hybrid vehicles are manufactured at the same plant as you normal gas powered vehicles. Does this make it any less green? Depends on who you’re asking I suppose. They have to be manufactured somewhere and instead of building a new plant, why not utilize one that is already there? Once the demand for the hybrid increases, the costs will come down and lend to higher possibilities of greener manufacturing. Ask a sales associate at a Saint Louis used Toyota dealer about some of their hybrid options. Toyota hybrids are amongst the longest running hybrids. They are a trusted name in the hybrid community.