Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video] • Hacker News Board

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#161

Post by asa400 » Wed, May 20, 2026, 10:43 PM UTC

jeffbee wrote: post #124

asa400 wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is exactly correct, and I can't count how many times I've had to have this argument, thank you for pointing it out. My hybrid (not a Prius, actually) doesn't have a dedicated starter motor, the traction motor starts the ICE engine. The climate control is electric and powered by the hybrid battery (with the added benefit of being able to run the A/C while the ICE engine is off). The power steering is electric so…

I could go on and on about the enhanced reliability features of my hybrid. One reason why it will last forever is that when the engine needs to start, the ECU grabs the crankshaft with the MGU and spins it up to 1000 RPM, and doesn't deliver fuel until oil pressure is verified. The cam phaser also keeps the valves wide open so there's little compression while starting. And, unlike other ICE engines that are forced to…

Yeah, there’s just so much you can do (or not do, depending on how you look at it) when you have a well-integrated ~50hp electric motor and decent sized battery.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#162

Post by 486sx33 » Wed, May 20, 2026, 11:22 PM UTC

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Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#163

Post by h43k3r » Wed, May 20, 2026, 11:32 PM UTC

everfrustrated wrote: post #143

deltoidmaximus wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It does to me. I was operating under the misconception that hybrids combined the meant more parts and more maintenance. I said this out loud as a complaint many times in discussions about them and everyone let it drop or conceded the point. Reading this thread it appears I was ignorant that it was more hybrid than I imagined.

Ditto. I also actively avoided hybrids as being worst of both worlds.

I used to think the same before I bought a hybrid (Honda CRV). It is different from Toyota but also a very simple setup (generator + ev at low to medium speeds and direct drive at high speeds). It technically doesn't even have a gear box and no alternator. It has less maintenance items than its ICE equivalent. (Not taking into account the battery replacement in long term)

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#164

Post by IcyWindows » Wed, May 20, 2026, 11:59 PM UTC

kube-system wrote: post #73

1970-01-01 wrote: post #12

The title doesn't match the point of the video. What he is trying to show is the world would be a better place if we could establish that hybrids come in two flavors: Toyota and non-Toyota. There's really no better hybrid design. Unfortunately that means they aren't scrapped after decades, and Mongolia has become a dumping ground for them.[1] So it still is the best hybrid drivetrain in the world, but much like plast…

Toyota’s system is good but I personally prefer series hybrids which have power delivery more like an EV.

The video makes the argument that there is a lot of efficiency loss by converting to mechanical energy twice.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#165

Post by tzs » Thu, May 21, 2026, 12:17 AM UTC

tedggh wrote: post #50

I have all three ICE, EV and hybrid at home. I was hesitant at first when getting the EV because we already had the hybrid, but we needed a second SUV to carry kids. After two years with the EV it became evident to me the hybrid doesn’t make sense. It has some of the gas savings of an EV but you still deal with the inconvenience of maintaining a ICE. My EV has received zero maintenance other than cleaning the cameras…

> After two years with the EV it became evident to me the hybrid doesn’t make sense

In some places in the US the hybrid can have lower energy costs per mile. Using the average price/kWh of residential electricity and the average price/gallon of gasoline in each US state as of maybe a year ago (I haven't updated my spreadsheet in a while) a Toyota Prius would beat my EV (which the sticker says is 129 MPGe city, 103 MPGe highway) on the highway in 15 states: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont.

The Prius would win in city driving in 8 states: Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

For people who do not have home charging or cheap destination charging and have to rely on public DC charging stations the Prius wins in most states even with today's super high gas prices. If DC charging costs $0.40/kWh for example, the Prius wins on the highway if gas is under $7.33/gal and in the city if it is under $5.85/gal.

If anyone wants to check it for their particular electrify and gas prices, compute the ratio of gas $/gal to electricity $/kWh. E.g., if gas is $4/gal and electricity at your home is $0.20/kWh the ratio is 20.

The Prius beats an EV with the MPGe of mine on the highway if the ratio is under 18.325, and in the city if the ratio is under 14.625. To adjust for your EV multiply those thresholds by my MPGe divided by your MPGe. To adjust for non-Prius hybrids or ICEs, multiply the threshold by the other car's mpg and divide by the Prius mpg (56 highway, 56 city).

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#166

Post by tzs » Thu, May 21, 2026, 1:06 AM UTC

don_esteban wrote: post #129

the_gastropod wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These problems are (imo) vastly overblown for the way most people drive. The only time the cold temperature reduced range / reduced charge speed are relevant is for long road trips where you’re driving > ~200mi at once. Otherwise, you just charge up at home overnight and easily recoup any normal driving range you used during the day, regardless of the temperature. Norwegians have apparently figured this out. Despite…

Norway is not damn cold. It sits next to a warm, Gulf-stream ocean. Rarely gets much ( Finland, that's another thing.

Around 38% of new cars sales in Finland in 2025 were EVs [1], so they apparently have figured out how to make them work. PHEVs were another 20%. Gas cars were around 39%, and diesel cars were about 4%.

[1] https://alternative-fuels-observatory.ec.europa.eu/general-i...

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#167

Post by 9x39 » Thu, May 21, 2026, 1:33 AM UTC

Spartan-S63 wrote: post #126

I now have a hybrid Toyota truck (Tacoma i-Force MAX), so it's not like the classical EV/BEV powertrain, from my understanding. Instead, the motor is between the engine and the transmission, so it gives an initial kick of torque before the engine starts or provides sufficient power. It's interesting that Toyota has two hybrid models: one for efficiency and one for low-end torque performance.

https://www.tacoma4g.com/forum/threads/toyota-i-force-max-hy...

Also have an iforce max, it’s a weird one since our systems are 288V systems capable of running the drivetrain for a bit and not the 40V “mild hybrid” systems that only run auxiliary systems.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#168

Post by jerlam » Thu, May 21, 2026, 1:38 AM UTC

tzs wrote: post #165

tedggh wrote: post #50

I have all three ICE, EV and hybrid at home. I was hesitant at first when getting the EV because we already had the hybrid, but we needed a second SUV to carry kids. After two years with the EV it became evident to me the hybrid doesn’t make sense. It has some of the gas savings of an EV but you still deal with the inconvenience of maintaining a ICE. My EV has received zero maintenance other than cleaning the cameras…

> After two years with the EV it became evident to me the hybrid doesn’t make sense In some places in the US the hybrid can have lower energy costs per mile. Using the average price/kWh of residential electricity and the average price/gallon of gasoline in each US state as of maybe a year ago (I haven't updated my spreadsheet in a while) a Toyota Prius would beat my EV (which the sticker says is 129 MPGe city, 103 MP…

Many states also tack on an EV specific registration fee that applies regardless of miles driven, over $200 in some places.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#169

Post by 9x39 » Thu, May 21, 2026, 1:46 AM UTC

baq wrote: post #158

oogali wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. All of this. I strongly dislike SUVs but due to transporting the kids around and their friends, my wife and I have switched vehicles during the week: she drives my sedan, I drive her SUV. Being able to transport my oldest's friends around has resulted in improved relationships for both the kids, and the parents. "Last minute sleepover after the game? No problem, I'll take your son and his gear in my car. We'll…

A Sienna does everything any SUV does the same or better, as confirmed in the video itself, change my mind?

The Sienna is a great rig but doesn’t look cool, which is rule 1 /s

As long we’re talking driving on roads, the AWD Sienna is basically an SUV. It is not, however, something that speaks to guys who want a specific look or fantasy from their rig.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#170

Post by 9x39 » Thu, May 21, 2026, 1:49 AM UTC

graemep wrote: post #141

KPGv2 wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm willing to bet they didn't mean to carry kids that don't fit in two SUVs. Probably meant that logistically, they need two SUVs available. If you aren't American—or are, but don't have kids—you might not be aware that even two kids past 10yo and a sedan is a pretty bad experience. And I'm saying this as someone who loves his sedan, hates large cars, passionately hates SUVs, and definitely never wanted one. I have…

> If you aren't American I am not American, and I have had two kids (now adults) and had a hatchback for many of those years. No problem fitting everything in. Split folding seats help a lot. The biggest car I have had is probably a Citreon Xsara Picasso (small by American standards, I think), and that only for about three years. It was nice to have the space but not essential. I can imagine needing two cars, and som…

I posit the ideal is three (often used, room for them notwithstanding):

-sedan for commutes

-suv for bench seats/cargo and typical awd/4x4 secondary

-truck for towing toys, bed hauling the things your wife made a deal for at a garage sale, going to the dump, firewood, bla bla bla, going for rides and looking cool when the weather’s nice

Two cars are always available if one breaks down, or bad weather, whatever. Can trade space and hassle for money if you’re willing to deal with repairs if the used rigs are old.