As we enter a new era of mobility, we’re seeing more and more people choose electric vehicles over gasoline-powered internal combustion engines. These EVs are making our roads cleaner, safer and more convenient.
Car and Driver’s editors voted the Hyundai Ioniq 5 our EV of the Year for its performance, features, and value. We think it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to buy their first EV, says editor-in-chief Daniel Quiroga.
Benefits
Whether you’re considering making the switch to an electric car or are a current EV owner, there are many benefits to driving an ev. These include a cleaner environment, reduced costs, convenient charging, and a more enjoyable driving experience.
Unlike traditional gas-powered cars, which require regular maintenance to keep them running efficiently, electric cars don’t need oil changes, lubrication or other costly engine work. They also don’t emit tailpipe emissions, and some states don’t even require smog checks for EV owners.
In addition, EVs are more energy efficient than conventional gas-powered vehicles, which means you’ll spend less money on fuel. And, as battery prices decline, they’ll continue to offer a lower total cost of ownership over time.
Costs
When you buy an EV, you’ll pay more upfront than if you purchased a gas-powered car. However, thanks to the federal EV tax credit and many state and local incentives, EVs are becoming more affordable over time.
The federal tax credit offers up to $7,500 for new EVs and $4,000 for used EVs. It’s a great way to make an EV more affordable, and it can really cut the overall cost of owning one over its lifetime.
Maintenance costs are also generally lower with an EV. There’s no need for oil changes, and the life of components is longer because they don’t wear out as quickly as a gas vehicle.
Charging your EV at home can cost less than filling your tank of gas, and many utilities offer incentives for charging during off-peak hours. EV drivers may even be able to charge at home for free if their local government installs public charging stations. Some automakers and governments also offer grants to help pay for chargers.
Technology
EVs are designed to run on electricity and not fossil fuel, which means they use a lithium-ion battery pack to store power. This makes EVs less expensive than cars with combustion engines, but it also means their battery packs tend to degrade faster in extreme temperatures.
Thankfully, most modern electric vehicles have active thermal management systems to keep their battery packs from going too hot or too cold, and thus lose energy, which reduces driving range. These systems are backed up by a cooling circuit that helps to maintain the batteries at peak performance.
Most EVs use regenerative braking, which helps the driver slow the car by recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost when stopping with traditional brakes. This regenerative braking function puts a lot less wear on EV brake components than on those in gas-powered cars, which means they typically last much longer.
Design
Electric cars are much different than gasoline-powered cars in many ways. They use electric motors and a sophisticated control system to power the vehicle.
EVs also have a battery pack that stores energy. The technology for this battery pack has been changing almost constantly, and manufacturers are making it easier to produce a lighter-weight and more cost effective battery than in the past.
An EV’s battery pack is designed to last a long time and be easy to maintain. Unlike a car with an internal combustion engine, EVs have a regenerative braking function that uses the stored electricity to power the brake.
EVs are still new on the market, but they’re becoming more popular with consumers. They’re safer, more affordable and offer a longer driving range than ICE vehicles. But EV drivers should be aware of their fuel efficiency and be careful not to drain their battery pack too quickly.