Does a Body Kit on a Hybrid Lower Gas Mileage?

There are enthusiasts for every type of vehicle in the world and it’s these individuals that drive the market. No matter the purpose, any vehicle will inevitably be tweaked by it’s owner, for looks, for speed, or sound. The new hybrid market will be no exception, we are already seeing a few body kits developed for hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic. But what affect does this have on the greenness of the hybrid car, will adding a body kit affect gas mileage and efficiency?

The answer to this question can only be answered by what type of kit you are adding. The body kits available now are small, stylish, and only add subtle styling cues. As the market matures I’m sure there will be more and more outrageous styles, but for now any kit you add will not likely affect your hybrids efficiency. These body kits replace the bumpers and side skirts existing on the car, they generally are not added on top of. Therefore you are not adding weight to your hybrid car.

Something else to consider when adding body kits to a hybrid car is how it will affect aerodynamics. As mentioned previously, most hybrid body kits are not outrageous, they are small enough to where they will not be adding considerable drag. However, if you plan on adding a large spoiler or large mouth front bumper, it’s possible to lose some gas mileage. The more drag a car has the harder the engine must work, therefore adding too large of body kit components can decrease your gas mileage.

When looking for a body kit for your hybrid car, don’t forget why you decided on a hybrid in the first place. It’s important that any additions you make to the vehicle will not adversely affect it’s efficiency. However, purchasing a stylish and simple body kit will not likely affect gas mileage in any noticeable manner. Lastly, remember that enthusiasts like yourself drive the market and the more kits sold the more that will be designed and released.



Source by Christopher Davidson