As Fuel Prices Increase, Driving Hybrid Pickup Truck Is a Better Option

Photo Credit: Elise

More and more people are looking for ways to save money on their transportation costs due to the ever-changing fuel prices. These days, filling up the tank can really hurt the budget.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average for a regular gas gallon broke the highest record in July 2008. As the prices of fuel increase, it seems that driving a hybrid pickup truck is a better option.

Fuel prices spiking

The lax COVID-19 restrictions led the people to go out of their houses — for work, travel, or other reasons. Inflation is another reason why people need to go out and work. Cars, food, gas, and nearly everything in the United States have become expensive. Almost all prices are rising at the fastest pace in decades. Also, Russia invading Ukraine has become a significant factor in increasing fuel prices.

Spiking fuel prices is one of the things that hurts the finances of individuals and industries. Many nations have already imposed crippling sanctions on Russia, including limitations on their oil trade. However, it still led to the surge in the price of diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, and more. It is not happening just in the U.S. but in other countries as well.

Choosing hybrid

Hybrid vehicles have come a long way in the past years. Hybrids such as Toyota Prius received mixed reactions from car enthusiasts back then. However, many automakers upgraded the features and capabilities of hybrid vehicles to keep up with the demands of the consumers.

The hybrid technology has been developed further to boost the performance instead of deterring it. Now, a lot of hybrid cars have gotten more efficient, reliable, and even affordable. Automakers have also adopted significant hybrid tech improvements to build larger vehicles such as pickup trucks. Aside from impressive truck accessories, manufacturers made them for better driving dynamics.

Since pickups have large gas tanks, filling them can hurt your wallets. These days, many famous pickup truck models have hybrid versions. So, if you do not want to turn your back to using fuel-powered vehicles entirely, getting a hybrid pickup may be suitable for you.

Fuel-saver

Jake Fisher, the senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, said that now is the better time to buy a hybrid. According to a new CR analysis, car buyers wanting to save money on fuel would be wise to consider a hybrid. It is a good alternative, especially now that gas prices continue to soar.

Compared to fuel-only counterparts, most hybrid vehicles cost more to purchase upfront. However, it will help car buyers to save money in the long run. Even if fuel prices fell from current levels, you could still save a few bucks on gas beforehand.

More people can benefit from the fuel savings because various automakers now offer more hybrid options in multiple categories. Consumers these days can choose hybrid pickups, minivans, three-row SUVs, and even luxury cars with excellent fuel efficiency.

Photo Credit: Lieve De Bleeckere

Good hybrids in the truck market

Ford has various hybrid vehicles such as F-150 PowerBoost and the Maverick compact truck. They have unique qualities that make them stand out from other trucks in the market.

F-150 hybrid

The famous Ford truck model has its hybrid version. Here are some of its features:

• Engine: The F-150 hybrid has a refined twin-turbocharged V6. The hybrid system includes a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 47-hp electric motor. With 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque, it leaps ahead and carries you forward even if you just dip your toes a bit on the accelerator.
• Towing: The truck can be used as a fantastic tow rig for your trailer as it accelerates quickly.
• Fuel efficiency: The gas-electric drivetrain of the F-150 has impressive EPA-estimated mileage of 25 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 25 combined mpg for rear-wheel-drive. The four-wheel-drive version has 24 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 24 combined mpg.
• Design: The hybrid F-150 has LED fog lights and daytime running lights. Despite the large wheels, it has an active grille shutter that reduces aero drag and helps save fuel.
• Cool features: You can use the hybrid F-150 as an onboard generator. The PowerBoost models come standard with 2.4 kW of power and dual bed-mounted outlets with 120 volts (20-amp). You can opt for a larger 7.2-kW generator with four 120-volt outlets and one 240-volt plug (30-amp). According to Ford, you can set up a mobile welding shop using this many juice and power outlets.

Maverick

Ford Maverick is one of the bestselling compact trucks in the market.

• Engine: All trims of Maverick come standard with a four-cylinder 2.5-liter electric motor. The hybrid powertrain is not as potent as the F-150. Nonetheless, it’s an excellent vehicle you can use for city driving.
• Drivetrain: The hybrid version only comes with front-wheel drive and a variable automatic transmission.
• Towing: The Maverick’s base hybrid powertrain has a payload capacity of 1500 pounds f and a towing capacity of 2000 pounds. With its turbocharged four-cylinder and the optional Towing Package, the compact pickup can tow up to 4000 pounds.
• Size: Unlike its brother F-150, the Maverick is smaller. According to Ford, it is the smallest truck the company has ever produced.
• Design: The compact truck has full-sized doors and a roomy back seat. However, the base model feels restrained and not particularly outstanding. It comes standard with a remote keyless entry, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with control for audio connectivity and infotainment, and adjustable lumbar support for the front seats. But if you get the higher trims, you’ll get more features such as storage bins and cubbies throughout the cabin.

Driving a hybrid truck

When the cost of fuel skyrocketed, the EV sales spiked too. The analytics firm, IHS Markit, released a report on December 2021 about the car dealership inventory in the U.S. Based on their information, the inventory levels are at their lowest due to the global financial crisis of the late 2000s. The stocks of many vehicle models plummeted in 2020 because of the global semiconductors shortage that intensely hit the automotive industry.

Despite many people wanting to buy electric vehicles, the supply remains very low. Also, EVs are expensive to buy. So, the next option would be hybrid vehicles. Analysis shows that most hybrids only need a smaller amount of fuel to run, and drivers can switch to electric functions to continue driving.

Prospective buyers of hybrid vehicles want to get better mileage. If you run out of gas while driving on a busy road, you can use the electric power to continue going to your destination. Hybrid cars, trucks, and SUVs can stretch the driving distance by 15 to 20 miles per gallon.

So, if you are in the market for a new truck, choose a hybrid that best suits your needs and enjoy the savings at the pump. Driving a hybrid pickup truck offers better mileage, which is a better option as the surge in fuel prices continues.