Toyota mechanic shares major advantage hybrid cars have over any other vehicle... and it's saving drivers money
Published on Jul 14, 2025 at 11:50 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Jul 11, 2025 at 11:41 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A Toyota mechanic has shared what he thinks is a major advantage hybrid cars have over gas-powered vehicles.
Hybrid vehicles have been around for decades, with the introduction of the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, but it’s fair to say they never exactly set the automotive world alight.
Until 2020, hybrid cars held around two percent of the US car market, but recently, there’s been a bit of a shift.
And now one mechanic is revealing a major advantage to hybrids that’s saving drivers money, and it’s not all to do with gas and electricity.
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Advantage hybrid cars have over gas cars
Since around 2020, hybrids have enjoyed a boost in popularity.
In the first quarter of this year, hybrid vehicles made up around 12 percent of new car sales in the US.
Which is still a fair way behind ICE vehicles and EVs, but an impressive surge in sales nonetheless.
Now, a mechanic from South Hills Toyota in Pennsylvania has explained what he says is one major advantage hybrid cars have over other powertrains.
In a clip shared on the @south.hills.toyot the mechanic claims that the brakes on hybrids last longer than gas-powered cars.
The video shows the mechanic being asked why hybrid vehicles don’t typically need brake services as often as ICE cars.
“So the hybrid system uses what’s called regenerative braking,” he explained.
“So the transmission and the motor will actually slow down the car better than most conventional cars.”
He goes on to say that this means the driver doesn’t need to use his brake pedal as much as someone driving a gas car, resulting in less wear and tear.
The regenerative braking also gives the hybrid battery some extra power, offering better mileage and making less work for the car’s motor.
“It is actually using it to slow down [and] actually recharge the hybrid battery,” he said.
@south.hills.toyot Hybrid cars need new brakes! Here's why… Did you know this? ⬇️ #Toyota #BestToyotas #TopToyotas #CarDealership #Toyotas #ToyotaCars #ToyotaCamry #Dealership #CarBuying #CarBuyingTips #CarSales #buyingacartip ♬ original sound – South Hills Toyota
“So you don’t have to run the engine as long to charge the hybrid battery itself.
“So if the vehicle is slowing itself down, there’s no reason to use the brakes. Compared to your normal gasoline or diesel vehicles.”
Hybrid owners agreed with the mechanic
The TikTok clip has garnered plenty of attention, with some hybrid owners taking to the comments to agree.
“Did my front and rear brakes for the first time on my 2007 Prius at 280,000,” one person said.
“110,000 miles on my Pirus, using the original brakes still,” a second said.
“My 2013 Prius still hasn’t had brakes replaced,” someone else commented.
While another person said he had clocked up 110,000 miles on his original brakes.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
