The biggest issue with hybrid vehicles lies in their high overall cost and limitations in usage scenarios. When purchasing a hybrid car, one has to pay a premium of 20%-30% over a petrol-powered vehicle of the same class. For example, the hybrid version of the Toyota Camry is about 22,000 Ringgit more expensive than the petrol version, requiring 145,000 kilometres of driving to offset the price difference through fuel savings. This makes it economically unviable for users with an annual mileage below 15,000 kilometres. The technical complexity leads to significantly higher maintenance costs: minor service costs are 50% higher than those of petrol-powered cars, while battery pack replacement can cost between 15,000 and 80,000 Ringgit. Furthermore, after 8-10 years, battery degradation reaches 20%, directly impacting resale value (with a 3-year resale value 8-12 percentage points lower than petrol-powered vehicles). In actual driving conditions, hybrids demonstrate clear fuel efficiency advantages at low speeds (with urban fuel consumption 40% lower than petrol vehicles). However, during high-speed operation, reduced motor engagement brings fuel consumption closer to conventional levels, diminishing the economic benefits for long-distance travel. Plug-in hybrid models additionally face challenges from inadequate charging infrastructure. These factors make hybrid vehicles better suited for frequent urban commuters with reliable charging access, while traditional petrol cars remain more practical for primarily high-speed or low-mileage users.
