Electric Vehicles: Pros & Cons

We get it, Electric Vehicles (or EV for short), can be intimidating. Some don’t think they are very dependable, while others love them! One thing that can be agreed upon is the fact that EVs are on the rise. To help you understand them better, we’re going to break down the pros and cons.

Pros

1: Fast and Smooth

• One ride in an Electric Vehicle is all it takes to understand the vastly improved riding quality from a conventional car powered by gasoline. Without the sound from a running engine, EVs are very quiet in comparison. They also drive very smooth because they don’t have a rumbling engine.  The experience of riding in an EV will make all other conventional cars seem outdated and clunky. What most people don’t realize is that most Electric Vehicles have high torque power- which makes them fast. Step on the accelerator in an EV and power is immediately distributed to the tires- creating an exhilertating drive.

2: No Gas

• Most people detest the process of putting gas in their cars…imagine if you never had to do that ever again? Because EVs run on electricity, all you have to do is plug it in after you get home from work. It’s as easy as plugging up a lamp and takes all of 20 seconds! After it charges overnight, you’re ready to go for another hundred miles or so. However, the access to a charging port for those living in apartments is limited, but more charging stations are being developed every day.  

3: Cheaper in the Long Run

• Electricity is almost always cheaper than gas in most parts of the world. The cost per mile to fuel an EV is about one-third the cost of gasoline on a cost per mile basis. Maintenance costs are also highly reduced because Electric Vehicles don’t need oil changes because they have no exhaust systems. 

4: Better for Environment

• Research has shown that Electric Vehicles are better for the environment compared to conventional vehicles. They do not release toxic emissions and are not depleting any resources. EVs don’t have a tailpipe, and could severely improve the air quality for you, your family and community if used across the world by more people. 

Cons

1: Range Anxiety

• Most affordable EV models only have a battery range of 100-150 miles per charge- which causes worry to those who travel often. The fear of running out of power and getting stranded in the middle of no-where is a strong one, especially since it takes hours to fully refuel an Electric Vehicle and charging ports are still limited at this point.  However, the battery range and affordability of EVs are improving rapidly, within the next ten years this issue may not even be relevant.

2: Lengthy Refueling Time

• As mentioned above, most EVs take quite a while to charge fully. Most models take about an hour for 25 miles of range, while charging fully can take all night. Unless you plan thoroughly around public charging spots, long trips are not advised. However, Supercharging Stations are increasing rapidly; they add about 60-80 miles of charge in about 25 minutes. Like with the range worry, this problem will probably not exist in the next five to ten years.

3: Price of EV

• Most affordable EVs are between $20,000- $40,000. In comparison to mid-size conventional cars, they are just a little more expensive. However, you also have to factor in lower maintenance costs overtime and less money spent on charging over time. So although Electric Vehicles may be more expensive to purchase at first, they are pretty price efficient in the long run.

4: Limited Choices

• Compared to conventional, gasoline powered vehicles- the model choices are pretty limited for EVs. Most are small to midsize models, but the field is quickly expanding. Now, there are EV SUV’s and a couple EV minivans out on the market. Several automakers are working on this, and plan to vastly expand their EV selection within the next couple years.

Depending on what your needs are, Electric Vehicles may be a fit for you! Although there are some things to consider now, EVs are rapidly improving. Within the next couple of years, all the conss listed today may be completely irrelevant. Until then, we hoped we helped you understand EVs a little more thorougly!