Even with the initial buzz around electric vehicles in the early 1900s (yes, you read that right), electric vehicles have never come into widespread use. Today, with the variable cost of gasoline and other fossil fuels and their effect on the environment, many people have chosen to go electric (boogey-woogey woogey). The slightly higher purchase price of electric vehicles still hinders its populous adoption. Electric vehicles, however, provide many benefits and advantages over their gas powered counter parts.
Under the Hood
It’s important to know the fundamental differences between gas-powered and electric cars. When starting at an electric vehicle for the first time, there may be no quick, noticeable differences from a gasoline-powered car. Raising the hood and examining the rear of the vehicle are an entirely different story. Electric vehicles do not normally have a huge combustion engine, fuel tank and exhaust pipe. Alternatively, they possess a battery, electric motor, and controller. The overall workings under the hood are slightly less complicated for an electric vehicle although components that power all gadgets like lights, stereo, power windows and more still require intricate development.
Why Buy an Electric Car
Buyers like to stick with what is familiar and, besides the greater recognition, gasoline-powered cars are more affordable. These two reasons are enough for many people decide to keep paying at the pump instead of connecting to the grid. It is important that every car buyer knows the benefits of buying an electric car so that the sticker price is less shocking.
1. Fuel Economy
One of the biggest benefits of electric vehicles is the reduced fuel consumption. The people driving petrol-powered vehicles often worry about the miles per gallon their car consumes. With battery-powered vehicles, the consideration is miles per charge.
Because electric vehicles run on gasoline, electric vehicles have different metrics gas vehicles. Rather than estimating the miles per gallon, electric vehicles are estimated based on the distance you can go with a fully charged battery. When it comes to efficiency, battery-powered cars are the clear winner. Electric cars can transform approximately 60 percent of the real energy stored in the battery. Conventional vehicles powered by gas, on the other hand, only convert about 20 percent of the stored potential energy. Not only are electric vehicles more efficient, the cost to drive per mile is can be pennies on the dollar.
2. Performance and Maintenance
Many drivers are usually surprised by the polished performance when driving an electric vehicle for the first time. There is often a misunderstanding that EVs are slower than gasoline cars, and that’s not really true. EVs can typically reach the same top speeds as their counterparts although the acceleration time may be longer.
Electric vehicles are also said to be easier to maintain. An electric motor is much less complicated than the internal combustion engine. Gasoline powered vehicles require continuous changes of oil, filters, tires, and repairs of numerous other small parts that are prone to damage. An electric vehicle still, of course, requires maintenance but those costs don’t typically exceed and can sometimes even be lower than the maintenance costs of gas-powered vehicles.
3. Reducing carbon footprint
Since electric cars don’t run on fossil fuels, it significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the vehicle owner. Those who are aware of their vehicle emissions and the corresponding outcome on the surroundings are happy to state that electric cars emit no tailpipe pollutants. Regrettably, electric cars has adverse effect on the environment when manufactured in factories, and leading critics say it does not help to reduce carbon emissions during the manufacturing process. Studies have found, however, that electric cars have a lower carbon footprint through the course of its life.
4. Tax Refund
To increase the number of owners of electric vehicles, countless states have offered tax incentives for electric and alternative fuel vehicles. While tax incentives expire all the time, new ones take their place as states race to qualify for federal funding when meeting or exceeding emissions reductions. Check with your DMV, RMV, or other agency in charge of motor vehicles services to see what initial purchase tax incentives are available and also what registration renewal fees discounts and other incentives they may offer (HOV lane access!)
5. Stylish
This may be largely based off of opinion, but EVs have come a long way in the design field. While most people have the misconception that these vehicles are small and square golf carts, car designs like the Tesla Roadster have put that claim to rest. Plus, who is to say that the current preference for design is the “right” design. Even less appealing body styles like that of the Sol are making a nerd-type comeback. People like quirky and the Sol, thee Leaf, and several other aesthetically different EVs are begiing to flood the roadways, including the HOV lane where many states allow EV owners to drive regardless of how many passengers are in the vehicle!
There are countless advantages to having an electric car with the main reasons having do with the fuel economy and environmental friendliness. While electric cars can be more expensive, tax incentives, a lower cost per mile to drive, and the pat on the back for being more environmentally conscious is worth the extra initial investment.