Pro: Prices Of Used Evs Are Cheap
A boon for used-EV buyers but a bane for original owners, resale values are way below the norm because of a combination of factors, including limited demand and the $7,500 federal tax credit given to new EV buyers. Whats more, because of their inherent range limitations pre-owned electric cars tend to be driven fewer miles than the norm, which means theyve typically endured less wear and tear.
What Happens In The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack
The structure of the fuel cell is similar to a battery. The hydrogen enters the anode where it comes in contact with a catalyst, which is usually platinum. This catalyst promotes the separation of hydrogen atoms into a hydrogen ion and an electron.
The hydrogen then passes through an electrolyte membrane to reach the cathode while the electron travels through the circuit, producing electricity to power the motor. At the end of the circuit, the electrons combine with the hydrogen ions and oxygen to form water as a byproduct.
You Cant Go As Far Or As Long As Gas Cars
A major downside to owning an electric vehicle is that you cant go as far or as long as you might want. Electric vehicles can typically go between 60-100 miles when fully charged, but many modern EVs may get up to 250 to 350 miles per charge. Compare that to up to a maximum of 400 miles on a single gas tank , its a notable difference. Going on a road trip is less ideal in this scenario with an electric car.
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What Is The Best Electric Car To Buy In 2020
It’s not available yet, but wed say 2020s best electric car will be the BMW i4. The combination of luxury, power, and claimed range cant be beat. A strong competitor to the Tesla Models S.
Source: Polestar and InsideEVs
However, if you only need a vehicle for commuting, the best value for money is the Electra Meccanica Solo, a one-seat, three-wheel vehicle built by a Canadian startup…. If three wheels is your kind of thing.
Source: Electra Meccanica
If three wheels is one short of perfect for you however, the “best EV for your money” question is a hard one to answer with certainty given the range of options out there. If you just want the cheapest EV out there, the Kia Soul EV will probably be what you are looking for starting at $42,000 CAD.
In other cases, if interior luxury, longer range and blistering 0-60 times is something you highly value, then maybe spending double or triple the price of a Kia Soul on a Tesla Model S P100D is the best option for you.
Either way, since EVs are pricey, we recommend renting one before you buy it.
Youre Going To Need An App
All charging station providers require the use of a smartphone app to manage your charging. When we say charging, we mean both electrical and financial charging the app will manage both. Charging provider apps are available in both the Appstore and Google Play and are free though the electrical charge often isnt.
On the upside, there is no messing around with pesky cash or waiting for change, instead all you need do is swipe a QR code, plug in your car, hit start, then finish, and youre done. Dont forget to unplug your car before you drive away!
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Is Buying An Electric Vehicle Right For You
Hopefully, the pros and cons of electric vehicles mentioned above can help you determine if they make sense for your driving needs. With more and more auto companies, such as GM and Volvo committing to all-electric, the EV will be a new norm in the coming time.
As people are embracing electric vehicles, they will become more practical and innovative with time.
On comparing these pros and cons of electric vehicles, we can say that benefits are more impressive than drawbacks.
Even the downsides you may find with EVs are being diminished.
For example, the charging stations are increasing, the driving range is improving, the electric vehicles are becoming more affordable and attractive, and the government is encouraging people to make EVs their go-to option by offering some perks.
For example, under the California electric vehicle incentive program, Californians who lease or buy an electric vehicle get eligible for a rebate of around $7,000.
This tempting deal encourages people in California to invest in personal electric vehicles.
So, if youre planning to buy a new vehicle for your daily commute, consider taking a look at electric vehicles. You can find luxury models like BMW, Jaguar i-Pace, Audi, and other affordable options such as Hyundai, Kona, and Nissan LEAF.
Overall, if we see, most of us dont own electric cars, but now its high time to start thinking about investing in EVs. They make a perfect option to save money and ensure a clean and green environment.
Electric Cars Pros And Cons
If youre in the , you may have your eye on an electric vehicle . Maybe you want to reduce your environmental impact or simply save money on gas or you just like the look of the new Tesla and youre sold. But then you hear that nagging voice, Are electric cars worth it? Before deciding on going fully electric or not, you want to understand the benefits of electric cars. Read on to review electric cars pros and cons to help make your decision easier.
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Electric Vehicles Are Affordable To Run
When you rent an electric car, rest assured youll be paying less to keep those wheels rolling than if you were in a conventional car. In most cases, you will still be charged for the electricity required to charge it up, but this will cost a fraction of what buying petrol will. Some have estimated that over a year, keeping an electric car running is 70% cheaper than a conventional car.
In some cases, thanks to the government and other incentives, it can be free to recharge. Do you have solar power in your residence? If so, recharging your car is going to cost you next to nothing.
Charging Station Availability Is Inconsistent
Perhaps you live in an area where electric vehicles are relatively common, and so theres a wide availability of EV charging stations for your convenience. But say youre on a road trip or visiting family in a more suburban or remote area what happens if you need to charge up? Luckily, as the popularity of electric cars grows, so, too, do the charging stations they require. But for now, the lack of availability is another major grievance for consumers.
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Recyclable Materials Are Used In The Production Of Electric Vehicles
Not all electric vehicles have interior components manufactured from recyclable materials, but many of the newest models do, including the seats, door trim panels, and dash.
For instance, BMW claims that 25% of the inside of their electric i3 vehicle is comprised of recycled plastic and renewable resources and that 95% of the vehicle can be recycled.
When these components are disassembled and retrieved at the end of a cars life, waste is minimized thanks to environmentally friendly production.
It is also possible to recycle the batteries used to power electric vehicles.
A battery can still be used elsewhere after it has worn out because it still contains roughly 7080% of its initial energy capacity.
Charging Can Be A Lengthy Process
When you have an electric vehicle, you cant just go to the pump and get on your way. You do have to charge your vehicle for it to work properly. Depending on your make, model, and year, your EV could take between 4 and 20 hours or more to charge. Having a charging station in your home can certainly help, but you need to make sure you budget for that time to adequately charge your vehicle.
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Con: New Evs Are Expensive
Though prices are expected to drop significantly over time, youll still pay an up-front premium to own a vehicle that runs on electricity. For example, the Nissan Leaf is priced at nearly $31,000 to just over $37,000, depending on the trim level. The Chevrolet Bolt EV starts at nearly $37,500. By comparison, a comparable small gas-powered hatchback model like the Chevrolet Sonic is sticker priced at between $18,000 and $22,400, depending on the trim level.
Pro: Theyre Good Cars To Lease
EVs are typically very expensive and are almost always too high for the majority of peoples budgets. This makes sense, as EVs come in a limited supply, which skyrockets the price and makes them a costly investment for many customers. Fortunately, there is still hope for customers who want an EV without the bank-breaking car payments. Its possible to experience a newer, cleaner way to drive by leasing an EV. Doing this is an excellent option for most people, as leasing doesnt depreciate value.
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Electric Energy Is Cheaper Compared To Fossil Fuels
Electric cars are not only much better in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, the use of electric energy is also significantly cheaper compared to the use of fossil fuels when it comes to the price per mile, meaning that you pay less for fuel if you use electric cars instead of conventional cars for the same travel distance.
Thus, in the long run, you might be able to save plenty of money by using electric cars instead of conventional ones.
Theyre A Large Initial Investment
If youve never shopped for an EV before, you might experience a bit of sticker shock upon beginning your research. Even the more affordable electric car models start in the $30,000 to $40,000 range, while luxury models creep into the $80,000s and upward. Until technology advances and becomes less expensive to produce, consumers can expect to pay between $10,000 and $50,000 more for an EV.
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Con: The Fun Doesnt Last Long
While it might be fun to launch your EV off the line and really put it through its paces, youll also significantly limit your range by always flooring it. In everyday driving, the most affordable EVs might offer as little as 150 to 250 miles of range . To get longer ranges that are more comparable to a gas-powered vehicle, youll spend considerably more. Even then, the best cars still deliver a driving range typical of an average gasoline tank.
This means you might spend a lot of time planning your routes rather than throwing an address into your GPS and getting on your way. If your routes long enough, youll need to factor in recharging time and the locations of charging stations, too. That might take some getting used to.
Larger Average Storage Opportunities
Since electric cars have no conventional engine, there is often much more storage space in electric cars.
This could be quite convenient, especially if you have a large family and you have to buy plenty of food and other things.
Your old car might not have enough storage space to carry home all those things.
However, by switching to electric cars, you might be able to get more stuff inside your car due to increased storage space.
Yet, not all models have larger storage spaces.
Thus, before you buy a car, make sure that you visit your local car dealer and take a look at the different models and options.
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What Is An Electric Vehicle
An electric vehicle is a vehicle that relies on battery power to run as opposed to standard gasoline-powered cars or internal combustion engines. Some electric vehicles dont solely rely on electric batteries. There are three types of electric cars:
The BEV is powered fully by electricity, with no gas use at all. Of the three mentioned types, BEVs are considered to be the most environmentally friendly option. Due to the no gas engine, there are no tailpipe emissions. Additionally, the maintenance for this vehicle is minimal. There is no need for oil changes or tune-ups like in a regular gas vehicle.
The PHEV contains both a gasoline engine and a battery pack. The PHEV will switch to gas once the electric battery runs out but the battery can be recharged at a charging station. Typically, on the battery alone, the vehicle can travel up to 40 miles, depending on the manufacturer or make of the PHEV. They are a good choice for car owners who are interested in buying an electric vehicle but may not be used to maintaining one.
You Can Save A Lot Of Money
Have you ever lamented about how high the cost of gas is while at the pump? Imagine those days are gone. Instead of filling up your gas tank each week and feeling like its taking a good chunk of your discretionary income, you could save a lot of money by going electric. When you have an electric car, you no longer need any gas to fuel your car.
Instead, you need electricity which is much more affordable. According to Energy.gov, you could reduce costs by 50% by going electric when compared to gas. You can even use their nifty eGallon tool to compare the costs of driving with gas versus electricity. For example, in California, it shows that the cost of gasoline is $3.73 per gallon compared to $1.86 for electricity.
Being able to cut your costs in half is remarkable for your budget and can reduce your overall spending, freeing up money to put elsewhere like savings, debt, or even a fun hobby.
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Cons Of Electric Cars
Although electric cars have more than their share of advantages, it’s worth noting that they are not without their drawbacks. The following are a few of the disadvantages of electric cars:
Finding charging stations can be challenging
Even though you can charge an electric vehicle at home, finding a charging station if you’re driving through rural areas or on a long-distance road trip can be a challenge. As noted above, more areas are embracing EV charging stations and numerous hotel chains have started to include EV chargers in their parking lots. This trend will continue as demand for charging stations increases.
Charging can take a while
Adding gas to a fuel tank doesn’t take much longer than five minutes, whereas recharging an electric car can take some time to do, especially if the battery is fully depleted.
It can take upwards of two days to get a full charge on a battery pack using normal outlets, depending on car type and battery size. Even the fastest charging stations will take 30 minutes to get near 80 percent capacity.
The driving range is limited
The driving range of a gas-powered car is much longer than that of an electric car, which can range anywhere from 100 miles to 400 depending on the type of car.
This can be problematic if you’re planning a long-distance trip, but it should be fine for daily commutes if you charge your car nightly.
High initial costs
Battery packs can be expensive to replace
Electric Cars Vs Gas Cars Pros And Cons
There’s a lot to know about the advantages and disadvantages of owning an EV.
- Gasoline- and diesel-powered cars are familiar, quick to refuel, and can travel long distances between fill-ups, all of which cant necessarily be said about electric cars.
- EVs, however, bring with them a whole unique set of positives, from an inherently exhilarating drive feel to a significantly less harmful impact on the environment.
- The current knocks against EVs will be resolved in time as more people adopt the technology.
Before deciding to buy an electric car, its important to know that EVs arent the only electrified vehicles on the road. Electric vehicles rely solely on batteries and electric motors for propulsion. When the car runs short on charge, pull up to a charging station and youll be on your way in half an hour or so.
Plug-in hybrids have a battery pack and electric motor, but also a gas engine. They are capable of all-electric propulsion, but have a much shorter electric-only range than their EV counterparts. After the electric range is exhausted, the vehicles engine takes over and the electric motors fill in the gaps for the gas engine at low speeds.
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Impact Of Electric Cars Batteries Using Rare Earths And Lithium
Electric cars must have batteries to store the electricity, and the production of these batteries has made may people wonder should all cars be electric? The batteries are quite complex too, and right now, it needs more energy to produce electric cars than conventional cars.
One of the main components of EV batteries is lithium, and there are conflicting reports and studies whether this metal will be enough for a huge number of electric car batteries. Some say that there are abundant deposits of lithium ore in already existing mines till the year 2050. But as the demand grows, supply will have to grow too, and we might see new mines set up. However, one saving grace is that lithium is recyclable, numerous times.
The IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute discovered that currently, 150-200 kilograms carbon dioxide is produced for every kWH of energy of electric car.
Additionally, electric vehicles batteries require rare earths such as neodymium. Rare Earth mining in most of the countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo or China, has led to tremendous ecological devastation, due to deforestation, soil contamination and polluted waterways. Human rights violation is another concern.
Moreover, aluminum is used to manufacture the body of the cars, and to transform bauxite ore into the lightweight metal, a huge amount of energy is required.
Therefore, the production of batteries of electric cars is one of the cons of the pros and cons of electric cars.
