Alva Review-Courier -

All the news about electric vehicles or EVs lately reminds me of my experience with a hybrid car. We’ve actually had electric vehicles for a while in the form of one- or two-person transportation with electric scooters, electric bikes and other small motorized transport.

A dozen years ago, I was looking for a new car and decided to try a hybrid. For me the top concern in a vehicle is reliability. Second is comfort. How it looks is way down my list other than I don’t like red or yellow or any other flashy color.

At that time, a new hybrid by Ford had been featured heavily in advertising and even on the Jay Leno show. The local dealership had one and talked me into a test drive, accompanied by my husband. They warned me that the gas motor might shut off when I stopped at an intersection because it was charging the battery. That feature was a little disconcerting at first.

This car also had a cool dash display that showed growing green vines and leaves. The more your battery charged while driving, the more leaves showed up on the display. With assurance of its reliability from the dealer, I decided this would be my new car.

Some of the new safety features like the backup camera and the sensors in the side mirrors that warned of traffic in my blind spot took some getting used to. Before I took the car home, the dealership helped me set up my cellphone using Bluetooth to interface through the car’s audio system.

The more I drove that car, the more I enjoyed it. We liked the saving in gas when we took long trips. But alas, my car became unreliable. After several mornings when it wouldn’t start, the dealer explained. I wasn’t driving enough to keep the battery charged.

As in all modern vehicles, the new electronic features continued to use battery power even when the engine was shut off. My hybrid was built to recharge while driving, and I wasn’t driving it enough!

I had three choices. I could take my car out for long drives, which seemed like a waste of time and gas. I could leave my car running in the driveway for several minutes periodically to charge the large batteries (more gas waste). Or I could trade it in for non-hybrid model.

Leaving my car running was a tough option. I’ve read too many police reports. Back in the 1970s I remember people leaving their cars running and unlocked as they made quick trips into the post office or a downtown store. People also left their car doors and their house doors unlocked. I also remember some thieves taking advantage of this habit.

After reading so many police reports, I’m a stickler for shutting off my car and locking the doors. I just couldn’t leave my car running, so I traded for a gasoline-powered car. I still miss that hybrid, but it just wasn’t practical for my lifestyle.

The August Consumer Reports (CR) magazine has an article title “The 7 Essential Questions Every Car Buyer Should Ask.” Number 2 on the list is whether your next car will be gas-only, hybrid or electric. Here’s what they have to say about those options:

Hybrids can earn back their higher cost in as little as two years. “For many Americans, the monthly fuel savings can offset a slightly higher monthly payment, saving money from day one,” says Chris Harto, senior energy policy analyst at CR.

Plug-in hybrids save the most if you take short car trips. That’s because they have an electric-only range that’s usually between 20 and 50 miles. Beyond that, the gas engine kicks in. So check the window sticker to see what kind of mpg you’ll be getting when the car is in hybrid mode.

EVs offer serious savings. CR’s analysis shows that with gas at $5 a gallon, an EV SUV will save drivers $2,600 a year on fuel and maintenance costs. Also, your EV purchase may be eligible for tax incentives. Go to CR.org/evsavings to check.

As for the other six essential questions, here’s a quick list:

• Which safety systems are included? Write down a list of safety-related questions that matter to you.

• Whether it has essential extras? Do you plan to use your vehicle for towing a camper or driving off road? Consider the road conditions you’ll encounter.

• How much maintenance will cost. Get the recommended maintenance schedule (you can find it in the owner’s manual). Be wary of package deals.

• If there’s enough seating and storage. Check out rear seats by sitting in them. Try out the trunk fit for special items like a folding wheelchair or stroller. And be smart about car seats for kids. See how easily they install securely.

• How the infotainment tech works for you. Can you figure out all the buttons, menus and settings? Some automakers are deleting features on certain cars such as satellite radio and parking assistance due to the ongoing microchip shortage so you need to confirm features on the window sticker.

• Whether to wait for what you want. Do you like the car you test drove but want different options, more safety features or a different color? It can be difficult to find exactly what you want in today’s market. You might want to consider a custom order.