Purchasing an Electric car is a great way to drive a clean vehicle and save money on fuel expenses. But there are a few things you should take into account before making your purchase.
One of the most important considerations when purchasing an electric car is reliability. Fortunately, many electric models have proven to be dependable over time.
1. Convenience
Electric cars offer the advantage of being fully charged from any public charging point, which are commonly found at workplaces, rest stops and grocery stores. Plus, their long-range capabilities mean EV drivers rarely need to stop for gas refills.
Convenience is a major advantage of driving an electric car, as it can save you both time and money in the long run. Drivers don’t need to make costly trips to the gas pump and don’t need to worry about oil changes or brake maintenance either.
Furthermore, an electric vehicle (EV) is much simpler to park than its gasoline-powered counterpart due to the absence of gears. This allows you to park the car in a more compact spot, making it easier to maneuver in tight quarters.
Aside from this, EVs tend to be friendlier on the environment due to their lack of greenhouse gas emissions and major source of air pollution. In fact, some models of electric vehicles even reduce fuel usage through regenerative braking or eco-friendly power management technology.
Another convenience of an electric car is that it can be connected to the power grid, providing a reliable source of energy. This is done through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which enables EVs to send and receive power via electrical networks.
Electric vehicles (EVs) can be conveniently charged through dedicated charging stations, and many cities provide free or priority parking bays specifically for them in order to make it convenient for drivers to park their EVs. With such convenient options available to EV drivers, it is essential that these stations become widespread.
2. Environment Friendly
The electric car is an effective tool in combatting climate change. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions, the primary contributor to global warming.
Electric vehicles (EVs) reduce air pollution, thus slowing the rate of climate change. Furthermore, EVs use less fuel and produce less noise.
An electric car is more environmentally friendly than a gas-powered vehicle, as it requires less oil, coal and natural gas to run the motor. This reduces emissions into the atmosphere which help mitigate climate change impacts – the leading cause of human suffering.
However, despite being more eco-friendly, some remain concerned about an electric car’s impact on the environment. There are three primary areas where an electric car could have an adverse effect on our planet: manufacturing, charging, and driving.
First, the manufacturing process for an electric vehicle (EV) can produce more carbon emissions than that of a gasoline-powered car due to additional energy needs for battery production.
Second, most electric vehicles (EVs) are charged on a grid that relies on fossil fuels to generate electricity. In the U.S., fossil fuels produce around 60% of our power needs; the remainder comes from nuclear and renewable energies like wind and solar.
Third, electric cars tend to be costlier than gas-powered counterparts due to the necessity of storing energy they require for driving. Most EV batteries use lithium, nickel, cobalt and other rare earth elements which must be mined and transported to their manufacturer.
Thankfully, most of these materials are being produced in countries with lower environmental impacts than the U.S. Furthermore, most of these scraps are being recycled into new electric vehicle batteries and other products – helping reduce waste production and the need for new mining operations.
3. Safety
Safety when driving an electric car is paramount. Unlike cars with gas-powered engines, which contain a tank full of gasoline that could potentially explode upon impact or catch fire in extreme heat conditions, electric cars use large arrays of Lithium-ion batteries that provide ample power.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), large lithium-ion batteries can catch fire and cause serious injury or death if not destroyed during a crash. Fortunately, most electric vehicles (EVs) come equipped with safety features designed to avoid this potential tragedy.
Most electric vehicles also include an emergency disconnect system that will disconnect the batteries from their vehicle in case of a crash. This process takes just milliseconds, as special pyro fuses detect impact and trigger special circuit breakers to cut off connection to high-voltage cables.
Another safety feature is lane centering technology, which prevents vehicles from drifting into other lanes by following the road around curves. This is especially beneficial on congested city streets where drivers may become distracted by other cars and pedestrians.
The IIHS has awarded several electric cars with its Top Safety Pick+ designation, based on crash test performance and an analysis of injury claims. Popular models such as the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq Electric earned this honor.
Brooks noted some concerns about electric vehicles despite their excellent safety ratings. For one thing, they often weigh more than traditional cars, which increases occupants’ risk of being hit in a multi-car accident. Furthermore, the quiet ride may present an obstacle for pedestrians or bicyclists who may not be able to hear the approaching vehicle. Furthermore, electric vehicles have the tendency to accelerate quickly – something most drivers are not used to doing while stuck in traffic.
4. Performance
The best electric cars offer more power than their gas-powered counterparts, enabling them to accelerate quickly and travel farther. This makes them more enjoyable to drive and easier to handle.
Electric vehicles (EVs) often come equipped with features designed to make driving more comfortable and secure, such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, forward collision warning/automatic braking systems, and lane departure warnings. Most of these systems use cameras and sensors to monitor your car’s speed, that of the car in front of it, and how far away they are from each other.
Some electric vehicles (EVs) also feature rear-wheel drive to add extra torque to the back tires, improving handling and helping avoid skidding on wet roads. The Ford Mach-E is one such example; it boasts all these performance and safety features in one compact design.
Electric vehicles (EVs) often feature powerful batteries that are well-protected in crash resistant structures. These battery packs are typically located as low in the body of the car as possible and far away from potential impact points.
Many electric vehicles (EVs) feature built-in cooling systems to help regulate the battery’s temperature. This helps minimize the risk of overheating and damaging the battery.
Another safety feature of an electric vehicle (EV) that’s essential for safety is an automatic isolation system that cuts high voltage cables to the battery in case of a collision. This uses special pyro-fuses which sense when they’re being hit and will disconnect power instantly.
The BMW i4 M50 is an outstanding example of how powerful electric vehicles can be. This all-electric sedan packs 536 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque, accelerating from zero to 60 miles per hour in just under four seconds and reaching top speeds of 162 miles per hour.
5. Cost
Though more expensive at purchase, electric vehicles can actually be more cost-effective to run than gasoline-powered cars depending on a few factors like your driving habits, where you live and the model of EV you purchase.
In some states, you can receive thousands of dollars in tax breaks for purchasing an electric vehicle. These incentives can reduce the price tag significantly; however, you must do your research to find out which ones apply to the model you’re interested in purchasing.
Battery depreciation can add to the cost of owning an electric car. After one year, a new electric vehicle may lose up to 20% of its value depending on its brand and model.
Maintenance costs for electric cars (EVs) are much lower than gas-powered cars due to fewer moving parts that need replacing. According to the EPA, an electric car could cost up to half as much to maintain over its life than a gas-powered model.
Electricity bills for EV drivers, particularly those who rely on public charging stations, may be higher. This depends on how many miles you drive and when you charge your car. An online calculator can give an estimate of how much electricity an electric vehicle uses per mile; comparing that to the average amount paid for gas allows you to see that operating an electric car is actually more economical in the long run.
There may be additional expenses associated with owning an electric car, such as potential battery replacement. However, these are usually minor and won’t impact your wallet too much. However, these should be taken into consideration if you plan to purchase a new EV or have an older car that you plan to sell in the future.