Go Green Tip of the Day 6/25: Three Hybrid Myths Debunked

By Eric J. Leech

The show Mean Green Machines (The Planet Green Channel) talks a lot about vehicle safety, especially the safety of hybrid/electric vehicles. While some concerns of hybrids are quite justified, others are considered a bit more myth than truth. We break down three such myths and debunk some of the fear that is normally associated with them.

• Hybrid vehicles will be too complex and expensive to fix.
  
  It is true that at the moment hybrids are not completely familiar to most mechanics, and therefore are more expensive to fix because it is considered a "specialized" repair. In truth, a hybrid is similar to the design of a cordless electric drill. Don't get us wrong, it has its share of complexity, but it is not necessarily any more complex than a standard combustion engine. With this in mind, hybrids will not be considered a specialized repair for long. It is all a matter of supply and demand. As more hybrids appear, more mechanics will see the value in becoming certified to work on them. This will in turn create more competition and the price of repairs will steadily decrease.
• If the hybrid vehicle is in an accident, it may be difficult to determine if the vehicle is safe to approach. Using the "jaws of life" in the wrong place could be deadly.
  
  While this is a true concern for the hybrid, we can't forget the fact that with almost any powered comes a certain degree of danger. A gas vehicle poses a fire danger if gas or spark is evident. The key here will be for emergency folks to know where these danger areas of the hybrid are. They certainly wouldn't cut a gas line on a cripples combustion vehicle and nor would they cut a main electric line. It is all a matter of proper training and education. In addition to this, hybrids also have a fairly fail-safe system that shorts the moment any important wire is breached. The chance of electric shock is not as prevalent as some might have you believe.
• Hybrids emit a dangerous level of EMF (Electro Magnetic Forces).
  
  We should by no means conclude that hybrids are not a potential source of dangerous levels of EMF, but nor should we go running scared just yet. Recent studies from Honda show that the electric hybrid produces no more EMF levels than any other combustion vehicle. Almost every vehicle has its share of electric components (stereo, seats, GPS, control module, etc.) that cause a certain amount of EMF, there is just unfortunately no getting around that.

With every doomsayer warning of hybrids, there is an optimist assuring us that everything is completely safe. There is no clear answer, which is why the ultimate decision of your safety should be yours and yours alone. This is why sites such as this are a great place to offer your insight, findings, and concerns. Together we can help each other make informed decisions about our lives using the multitude of information that is available to us.

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