According to CNW Marketing Research in Bandon, Oregon, there are approximately 415,000 used electric vehicles (EV) on the market right now, and like regular used vehicles they are cheaper than buying new and can save you money on insurance. If you are thinking of purchasing a used vehicle and you would like to buy a hybrid, there are certain factors to take into consideration when shopping for this type of vehicle.
For the inexperienced first time hybrid shopper it can be difficult to know whether the vehicle is in need of maintenance or repairs. Hybrids typically use electric power-assist steering, which is not as responsive as hydraulically assisted steering and sounds from the engine are not the same as gas powered engines. Some hybrids can be dead silent for the first few miles of driving as they operate on electric motor power only.
It is a good idea to shop with someone who knows something about electric cars and to take it to a certified hybrid mechanic if you are thinking about buying. Check the service records to see how well and regularly the vehicle has been maintained and whether the work has been done by a certified hybrid technician.
Most of the electric driven vehicles being sold on the market today are conventional hybrids. A conventional hybrid does not come with a plug-in or grid rechargeable batteries, but relies on an internal combustion engine (ICE) propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle or better performance. Because they combine electric drive with gasoline engines, hybrids have most of the same mechanical parts and problems that traditional cars and trucks have. Shoppers who are looking at used hybrid vehicles still need to check on the usual things such as fluid leaks, tire and brake wear, paint, body and interior condition, service history, and the status of any recalls. You can easily track this using the vehicle identification number (VIN) and a vehicle history report such as Autocheck or Carfax.
Mild And Strong Hybrid Systems
In “mild” hybrid systems, the electric motor is a secondary power source that assists the gas engine. The electric motor provides a boost when the car needs to accelerate and to start the gas engine when it shuts down at idle. This automatic stop-start function is the main fuel saving technology in conventional hybrids.
Most other hybrids use some form of the “strong” or “full” hybrid system. The batteries and electric motors in a strong hybrid are powerful enough to provide some all-electric range at start-up, although it is typically just a few miles. The strong system uses a relatively small gas engine usually giving better overall fuel economy than a mild hybrid can attain. Because they use bigger motors and batteries, strong systems typically cost more and usually still command a higher price in the used market, but for that extra money you usually get better fuel efficiency.
Hybrid Battery Packs
Hybrids have large specialized battery packs with limited lifespans, albeit pretty lengthy ones. Depending on their design, hybrids also can also have quite different mechanical systems from regular vehicles.
Until recently, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) was the battery of choice for most hybrids. Some automakers have started using lithium-ion batteries because they are lighter. Because of their tendency to get hot, lithium-ion batteries require complicated cooling systems which can cost more. Unless you are shopping for a 2011 model year or later used hybrid, chances are you will be looking at models with nickel-metal hydride batteries.
Regardless of battery type, all hybrids come new with at least an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty. California, the District of Columbia and 10 other states that have adopted the California zero-emissions vehicle mandate get an even longer battery warranty: 10 years or 150,000 miles. The zero-emissions vehicle rules require the extended hybrid battery warranty.
Because hybrids’ regenerative braking systems use the electric motor to slow the car most of the time, hybrids’ brakes usually last much longer than brakes on conventional vehicles. If maintenance records show frequent brake jobs, you may be dealing with a hybrid that was driven hard by a previous owner. You’ll want to make sure other mechanical parts aren’t prematurely worn, too.
There now are approximately two dozen conventional hybrid models on the market, and almost every major automaker has at least one for sale. Many started selling the gas-electric cars and trucks in the last two years so they do not have much of a presence in the secondhand car market yet. Many of the used hybrids sold at dealerships come with a factory-backed warranty if it is a certified pre-owned car or with a third-party extended warranty if you are dealing with an independent dealership.
