The Benefits of Driving a Hybrid Vehicle

Hybrid vehicles are becoming more popular as many car owners are deciding to make the switch. I remember years ago it used to be rare to spot a hybrid or electric vehicle when driving around the city, fast forward to today and you’ll see hybrid vehicles everywhere.

I recently had the opportunity to test drive the 2017 Ioniq Hybrid for a week, my very first time driving a hybrid and I loved it. It was so fun to drive.  The Ioniq Hybrid is powered by a specially developed power-train that offers the perfect blend of performance and efficiency. It can run on a gas engine, an electric motor, or both, but gives you range of over 1,000 kilometers on a single tank of gas. I enjoyed driving it so much I  was sad to have to give it back.

Hybrid vehicle owners are usually attracted to the reduced fuel costs. However, there are many other benefits of driving a hybrid. Below is a list I put together with some of the main benefits.

The Benefits of Driving a Hybrid Vehicle

•  Eco-friendly

Hybrid cards like the Ioniq run on a combination of gas and electricity, emitting less pollution than gas-only vehicles. As a result hybrid vehicles run cleaner and have less dependence on fossil fuels. With better gas mileage they are a great eco-friendly option as well.

•  Tax Incentives

There are incentives and tax credits available for owning a hybrid car. Check your province’s stances on hybrids to find out more. For example, B.C. residents, businesses, non-profit organizations and local government agencies who purchase or lease qualifying new vehicles, are eligible for up to $5,000 off the pre-tax sticker price.

• Automatic Recharge

Did you know that the energy produced during braking increases the charge available to the electric motor of a hybrid vehicle? I had no idea! I love that just by driving the car you can charge the battery which results in less fuel consumption. No need to plug it in to charge anywhere.

• Quiet and relaxing

Electric motors make very little noise compared to gasoline engines. I had to check twice a few times to make sure the car was running when I first started driving. It was so so quiet!  The Ioniq has also been designed to keep outside noises out of the vehicle, so your ride is peaceful and relaxing even when there is lots of traffic noise outside.

• Reduced Fuel Costs

The most obvious benefit of driving a hybrid car is the amount of money you will save in gas. If you have long steady-state cruising commutes, you’ll see the big difference in your gas expenses. I was impressed with how little fuel the Ioniq consumed after driving all over the city for a full week.  A big selling point for most!

 

Have you driven a hybrid vehicle before? What are your thoughts? Stay tuned for a full 2017 Ioniq Hybrid review post on the blog in a few weeks. So many fantastic features I want to talk about.

Disclosure: This is a partnered post with Hyundai Canada. However, all opinions and views on this post are 100% my own.