Electric vehicles (EV) have seen a surge in popularity over the last few years. While owners have taken notice of the positive effects electric cars have on carbon footprint, the real impact will come when municipal fleets and large cities follow. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland recently requested information from automakers on what electric vehicle options they could offer to meet their needs.
The impact of a movement to electric vehicles could be revolutionary. But what is it about electric cars that make them so interesting? Take a look at our list of pros and cons.
Quiet Power
It only takes one ride in a battery-powered car to understand the reduced noise level – sometimes you can’t even tell the vehicle is on. What surprises people most, however, is the power you feel when you step on the accelerator. For example, the Tesla Model S can go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Not too shabby!
Home Recharging
With an electric vehicle, you’d never need to visit a gas station again. For convenience alone, the electric vehicle more than makes up for your time – it can charge while you sleep. Depending on the make and model of the EV, one charge can go 100 miles or more.
Reduced Maintenance Costs
In most parts of the world, electricity is a cheaper option than petroleum. The cost per mile to fuel an electric vehicle is about one-quarter to one-third the cost of gasoline. Think about this: with EV oil changes and emissions checks are not required. Therefore you can save on some maintenance costs. An electric vehicle requires no engine maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you can forget about your EVs brake system, steering, cabin air filter, A/C, etc.
Pro: No Tailpipe Emissions
EVs don’t have a gas-burning engine, so there is no tailpipe. Therefore, there are no emissions with an electric vehicle. This definitely improves air quality.
Limited Range
“Range Anxiety” is an issue among many EV owners. Some affordable electric cars only have about 80 to 100 miles of range, and take hours to recharge. While it’s true the range and cost of electric car batteries is improving every year, unless you drive an electric car with a back-up range-extending engine, you need to plan your routes carefully if you are planning an extended trip.
Long Recharging Time
This can be an issue for road trips, since the current required time to recharge can reach up to eight hours vs. the short time it takes to fill up your gas tank in a traditional vehicle. Don’t forget you may also have to add extra time to drive “off route” to find a charging station. EVs can add about 20 to 25 miles of range in an hour when charging from a 240-volt source of electricity.
Higher Initial Cost
Do you have a $30,000 or $40,000 budget for your car? You’re going to need it for the current electric models. Leasing plans are still affordable, however, and with the reduction of maintenance costs, owning could still be cost-effective.
Limited Consumer Choice
The 30 (or so) plug-in electric vehicles on the market consist of compact pure electric cars and midsize plug-in hybrid sedans. However, this is changing. Tesla Model X, an all-electric SUV, is shaking up the market, and several major automakers set aggressive goals to release new plug-in models in the coming years.
Unlike hybrid vehicles, which are fueled by gasoline and battery, the electric vehicle is a real revolution. With a little bit of innovation, the limits of electric cars will be a thing of the past. To stay up to date on the latest industry trends and hot consumer vehicle tips, visit Blog.MightyAutoParts.com.
Electric Vehicles is the future of the world.