electric cars pros and cons

Pros and Cons of the Electric Car

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The electric car is the newest toy in the market. Introduced to the common consumer by Tesla Motors back in 2008, the electric car has been rapidly gaining in popularity thanks to its energy efficient nature and comparatively lower costs in the long run. It would be interesting to note, however, that the first modern cars, back in the late 1800’s, were electric cars, but their advantages were overshadowed by the gasoline driven automobiles that were introduced soon after. As of 2017, over 2 million electric cars have been sold across the world, as governments push towards its manufacture, and more and more people opt for this eco-friendly automobile. Let’s take a minute to discuss why these cars are a must have.

electric cars pros and cons

Pros of electric cars:

Very eco-friendly

This is one of the greatest pros of the business, naturally. Electric cars do not use gasoline, which means that they are not using up an important non-renewable energy source. And since they run on electric, there are zero emissions, so by using one such car, you will be positively contributing to the war against global warming.

They are quite inexpensive

Electric cars are, in the long run, less expensive than fuel-driven automobiles. Gas prices are increasing all over the world as the commodity gets scarcer and scarcer, which means that you will be spending a lot less driving your electric car than what the petroleum driven car would cost you. If you are worried about your electricity bills- you will most probably be charging the car in your garage- installing solar panels on the roof of your home will take care of that issue considerably. Plus, they will not require all the maintenance that the internal combustion engine requires, such as oil changes and other paraphernalia.

They are very safe

The electric car is fairly new on the block, and you probably don’t know many who drive one. While that may leave you slightly skeptical about their safety, you may rest assured that these cars undergo rigorous safety testing. In case there is an accident, electric supply to the battery gets cut off, and the airbags pop up. Moreover, according to the tests conducted on the cars, the exposure to the magnetic field is actually 20% lower than what is deemed as the safe level by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.

Super smooth driving

This is an amazing perk of the electric car. Driving the EV is a great experience, with great smoothness of the wheels and virtually no sound. The axle twisting power is high, with the power being transferred to the wheels by a slight press on the accelerator. And the almost silent quality of the car makes it look really classy and quite futuristic.

But, like everything else, there are quite a few factors that do not work in the EV’s favor.

Cons of electric cars:

Lower range

This would be the biggest problem with electric cars. Most of them do not have a very high range, with most of them- the affordable ones at least- having a pickup range of no more than 80 to 100 miles per hour. Of course, many would argue that it does not take more than that range in normal driving situations, but it would still be better to have greater range. However, things are certainly improving, with cars released in late 2016 that have a range of 200 miles per hour.

Charging can become a problem

While it is great that you can charge the electric car in your garage, using the electricity of your own home, it can become problem if you are driving long distances. There are not enough charging stations around and in out-of-town areas yet, which means that you run the risk of getting stranded in case you do not have enough battery life during the journey. Besides, it needs to recharge for at least half an hour before you can safely embark on a 25 mile journey. That’s not saying much, considering you have to spend on a couple of minutes at a gas station to add another hundred mils to your driving range.

The initial costs are quite high

Cars with internal combustion engines are not exactly inexpensive, but they are still affordable. Battery operated cars, on the other hand, will expect you to dish out something in the $30,000 to $40,000 range, which is likely to burn a hole in the pockets of most mid-range income families. True, in the long run, with the costs of fuel and maintenance added up, you will ultimately spend less on an EV than on a gasoline-powered car, but the initial costs can be quite daunting.

Conclusion:

Electric cars are the next big thing in the market, and are definitely here to stay. With fuel costs rising and the damaging the environment, more and more people are opting for greener cars. Governments are providing subsidies to manufacturers as well, pushing for increased production. If all goes well, these automobiles soon will be able to replace their eco-unfriendly counterparts.