4 Downsides of Hydrogen Hybrid Cars

Having new technology options for powering vehicles is great, and overall, most would agree that hydrogen hybrid cars are an example of very desirable scientific progress in a time when climate change threatens the world, and American auto makers are scrambling to cut vehicle emissions. But there are some less than great things about the hydrogen hybrid vehicles currently on the market. Here are some of the down sides to owning one of these renewable energy vehicles.

1. Costly Engine Modifications - Auto buffs estimate a hydrogen converted engine can easily cost upwards of $40,000, making hydrogen hybrid cars a less thrifty option for buyers.
2. Conversion - Who's installing this new technology in vehicles? It's actually not the auto makers themselves. In a lot of cases, a hydrogen hybrid car is converted at a third-party shop that knows how to work this new technology into an existing vehicle design. A lot of drivers don't like other shops fooling with their vehicle systems, and this might be a deal-breaker in terms of adding hydrogen fuel cells or a hydrogen powered combustion engine.
3. Filling Up - With maybe a dozen hydrogen filling stations in even the most progressive cities, it's currently not easy to get refueled in these vehicles.
4. Complex Repair and Insurance Situations - When you're driving this new technology, there's even less qualified mechanics who can work with it in substantial repair situations. You also may have trouble developing fair insurance rates for a converted vehicle, as insurers often stick to what they know.

These are some considerations for drivers who want to take the plunge to a hydrogen hybrid car.