Teens looking for different car options due to high gas prices

The+Toyota+Rhombus+was+featured+at+the+Cleveland+Auto+Show+in+February.++Electric+and+hybrids+are+becoming+more+popular+choice+for+cars.

Maya

The Toyota Rhombus was featured at the Cleveland Auto Show in February. Electric and hybrids are becoming more popular choice for cars.

As high schoolers begin to drive, several are lost in the world of cars. Teens just want to find something not too expensive and reliable. With the extreme gas prices and wavering car market, we often struggle to find a cheap car, with good gas mileage, all for a decent price. 

“I’m taking my drivers test tomorrow but it’s basically useless because I don’t have a car and probably won’t for a while with how expensive cars are right now,” sophomore Abby Watson said.

With this, people begin to question if electric and hybrid vehicles are worth the money, considering the amount of money spent on gas in a non-electric vehicle.

Electric cars essentially have a battery in them which you charge to move the car, these cars cannot run on gas. They are especially debated on if they are worth the money.

Aside from this, several electric car owners believe the money eventually balances out.

Generally, electric cars are around ten thousand dollars more than the average gas car. Studies go back and forth on whether or not electric cars end up averaging the cost of a gas car with maintenance.

 “I do think are worth the money, I’ve saved so much money on gas and I’ve had no issues with my car. Since it’s electric, it’s very low maintenance and never needs an oil change or anything like that,” senior Taylor Bolon said. 

One large negative to them is their inability to travel long distances without having to stop to charge for at least 20 minutes every 300 miles.

 “Charging stations can be out of the way and having to pull over and wait to charge it multiple times can be inconvenient.”

— Taylor Bolon

 “Charging stations can be out of the way and having to pull over and wait to charge it multiple times can be inconvenient,” Bolon said.

 With this, many then turn to hybrid vehicles. Hybrids are cars that use two types of power from an electric motor and a gas engine to propel the car, it charges by regenerative braking. 

Hybrids are favored for being a mid-point car between gas and electric cars. Sophomore Devin Burton’s family owns a hybrid, specifically a Toyota Venza.

 “As gas becomes more expensive and we have less of it I feel hybrid and fully electric cars will be the future of driving, “ sophomore Burton said.

Hybrids are extremely sought after because of their ability to switch back and forth between gas and electric. With this, the hybrid also has its issues as well. 

“Hybrids make a loud humming sound when running off the battery which can be annoying,” Burton said. “They definitely feel weird to drive with how its safety controls work.”

All in all, drivers will have to make the choice to continue to scavenge for a car, wait it out, or take what they can get. 

 “This is definitely not the right time to be purchasing a car. To counter this I would wait and see if the prices go down, “ sophomore Kylin Miles said.