An increase in environmental concerns, gas prices, and emissions has more drivers considering electric vehicles (EVs). They offer lower upfront costs, no tailpipe emissions, and provide a unique driving experience compared to conventional internal combustion vehicles.
Comparing all-electric vehicles and gas models isn’t an easy feat. Here are the key differences you need to keep in mind.
Cost
Cost factors that influence car purchases and operations include sticker price, financing fees, annual fees, insurance policies, maintenance services and fuel (both gasoline and electricity). Electric vehicles (EVs) often save money when compared with comparable gas vehicles in terms of ongoing expenses.
Reaching cost parity between electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional cars will be essential to widespread adoption, but how much you save will depend on several key variables including location and model choice.
There are online tools available that can assist in comparing the total costs associated with owning and driving a particular vehicle. Calculators such as these allow you to factor in local gas and electric prices, mileage costs, loan details and rebates from state and federal tax rebates in order to find one with optimal value in your situation. They will allow you to quickly find which model provides best value in terms of affordability.
Range
One reason EVs have gained in popularity is their greater range. Their range is evaluated and marked on window stickers by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Electric vehicles’ range depends on various factors, including battery age and size, vehicle dimensions and aerodynamics, battery heating efficiency and outside temperatures. Unfortunately, some common misconceptions exist regarding an EV’s range which could mislead potential buyers.
Some may assume that when an electric car runs out of power, you must walk or be towed to its nearest charging station. But in reality, most EVs come equipped with warning lights to alert drivers that their battery needs charging as soon as it reaches a low state and a GPS map that displays available charging stations in their immediate area – keeping this information in mind can help ease range anxiety and make switching even simpler!
Emissions
Electric vehicles (EVs) are better for the environment than gasoline-powered cars because of their greater efficiency, producing nearly zero tailpipe emissions and producing far fewer greenhouse gas emissions throughout their lifetimes compared to comparable gasoline cars.
Electric vehicles (EVs) boast tremendous efficiency when it comes to turning energy into motion. Most typically generate more power than they consume and many feature regenerative braking to generate electricity when slowing or stopping, further reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Electric vehicles also help to lower harmful ground-level ozone pollution levels in many locations, which is the main component of smog. As more vehicles transition to electric power, ozone pollution should decrease significantly.
EV emissions vary considerably based on where and what kind of energy source is used to recharge its battery, but according to an MIT study an all-electric Nissan Leaf produces far fewer cumulative climate-change emissions over its lifespan than a hybrid or conventional car, even after accounting for carbon-intensive manufacturing of batteries; even buying in countries using hydropower leaves lower carbon footprint than buying one in coal-heavy states like Pennsylvania or Virginia.
Maintenance
Electric cars require far less maintenance than gasoline-powered cars do, such as smog checks, spark plug changes, oil changes and engine repairs.
Electric Vehicles may still need routine services like brake replacements and tire rotations, but are less likely to need major repairs due to having fewer moving parts and engines that don’t force pistons up and down during their revs.
But ultimately, electric vehicles need their batteries replaced; that can be costly; however, battery packs usually last at least 8-10 years before needing replacing.
As electric vehicles (EVs) tend to wear down tires faster due to their heavier nature, drivers should abide by the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule to prevent premature tire wear.
