Reasons Not to Buy a Hybrid Car (yet)

At the risk of heresy, here are good reasons to wait on buying a hybrid vehicle:

1. Hybrids cost more; usually about $3,000 or more. Whether you make this difference up depends; on how much you drive, how long you keep the vehicle, what the resale value is when you sell it, and the amount of tax incentives. In some cases it's hard to justify the purchase on strictly economic terms. Good news: Hybrid resale values have been superb. Omninerd has developed an incredibly detailed look at the economics of hybrid ownership. [1]

2. Hybrid vehicle choices are limited, but expanding dramatically every year; waiting may be better. Larger and less expensive hybrid cars, trucks, and SUVs will become available.

3. Hybrids on the market today rely on gasoline, for which there is no synthetic substitute (unlike diesel engines, which can run on bio-diesel).

4. Car battery disposal, when the car eventually is retired.

5. Extra weight

6. Carbon Dioxide - Global warming

7. Hybrids are sustaining technology. If electric cars disrupt transportation, internal combustion based products may lose resale value.

See also Top Reasons to Buy a Hybrid Car.