Are Hybrid SUVs as Ecologically Beneficial as Regular Hybrid Cars

Hybrid SUVs are those which have multiple power sources to propel them, though the most common ones are incorporated with an internal combustion engine, to process gasoline and one or more electric motors to store electric charges and also power the wheels.

Ecological benefits are experienced by owners of hybrid vehicles, particularly in smaller hybrid cars versus SUVs. Though the miles-per-gallon are relatively low in SUVs, smaller hybrid cars gain 40% more mpg with an auxiliary power source. Due to their size, a great amount of modification and hybridization is necessary. Hybrid SUVs combine the ride quality and the interior space of an SUV with better fuel economy, though still not as good as that of smaller cars.

Owing to their size, the extent of hybridization and the associated effects are not realized as completely. It has been argued by some environmentalists that hybrid SUVs are just a misapplication of the technology. Hybrid SUVs do not offer as much of a change in mpg as hybrid cars do, but mpg is a non-linear measure of the mileage of a vehicle. The form of measurement being counter-intuitive, the Union of Concerned Scientists states that small jumps in fuel efficiency from 14 to 16 mpg are comparable to fuel economy changes from 35 to 50 mpg.

Assessment of ecological benefits of a hybrid SUV requires consideration of multiple factors. The affordability and efficiency level of the SUV has to be considered; while the Ford Escape Hybrid is the pioneer of hybrid SUVs, it has the best efficiency. The engine performance and towing capacity are auxiliary features, but they still play a role in assessing the mileage-performance factor. Even with luxury and more seating capacity thereby transporting more people in a single vehicle, the ecological benefits of a hybrid SUV is lower than that of a hybrid car or a sedan.

If you consider the purpose of the vehicle, there is a good chance that the necessity to buy an SUV would be justified. Consider a construction worker who has to load and pull plywood planks on his car to his site; a sedan or a coupe would not be able to handle the weight which leads to the fact that though hybrid cars are better in terms of fuel efficiency, they cannot be used for jobs that necessitate the use of a bigger and more powerful car. It is important to understand that while the ecological benefits of a hybrid SUV are lesser than hybrid cars, it cannot be concluded that hybrid cars are better than SUVs because one needs to consider various other factors for comparison. The effective quantification of all these factors would reveal if the statement is true or not, but it depends on every automobile user’s perspective.