Why Electric Cars Are Better Than Gas

Summary: Are Electric Cars Better Than Gas Powered Cars

For some, absolutely. For others, maybe not so much. It really depends on your individual situation and needs. EVs provide some significant benefits over their internal combustion cousins such as lower lifetime operating costs, the convenience of filling up at home, and lower environmental impact . According to a recent J.D. Power study, 82% of early adopters who have owned an electric vehicle definitely will consider purchasing another EV in the future. Overall happiness with EVs seems to revolve around four factors: range of the vehicle, availability of charging stations, driving enjoyment, and lower lifetime operating costs.

We recommend you factor the pros and cons listed above into your decision-making process. Many of the current negatives of EV ownership are becoming less and less onerous as the technology matures and EVs becomes more and more convenient to operate. Chances are, that if you think an EV would work for your lifestyle you will be quite happy with your purchase!

Evs Have Better Safety Features

Even though this might sound debatable, electric cars have better safety features than gas cars. They pass the same safety tests and in fact, score higher is crash test ratings than gas-powered vehicles. Moreover, EVs are less likely to catch or cause fire than gas cars given that they do not use inflammable products.

Ostensibly, EV manufacturers are always looking for ways to make electric cars safer than conventional vehicles in order to minimize loss of life and property. Notably, electric cars tend to have a lower center of gravity to improve handling and reduce the risk of rolling. In addition, they have better braking systems than conventional cars.

Electric Cars Vs Gas Cars: Whats Right For Me

Electric and gas cars each have their pros and cons. By doing your research on each, you can make an informed decision about which is best for you.

Catherine HilesJuly 21, 2022

In This Article

Theres nothing quite like an epic road trip with friends, but when you hit the gas station to fill your tank, youll probably wince at the total showing on the pump when your tank is full. The rising cost of gas might have you considering buying an electric vehicle for your next car rather than a gas one. After all, it would feel fantastic to finally be free of the gas pump and volatile gas prices, right?

Driving an EV would mean your trips to the gas station will be a thing of the past. But consider the benefits and drawbacks of driving an electric car before making the official switch. Lets take a closer look at electric and gas cars so you can determine whats best for you.

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Electric Cars Are Much Cheaper To Run

EVs are much cheaper than gasoline cars in terms of cost per mile. This is because EVs are able to efficiently utilize their energy input, electricity. Gas cars, by contrast, rely on inefficient gasoline combustion for power.

The cost gap between the two widened recently. As gas prices have surged – much more so than electricity costs – gas cars have become even more expensive to run. This has led to increased interest in EVs among consumers in 2022.

What’s interesting is that the savings you’ll see from choosing an EV can vary substantially depending on your location. This is due to the nature of electricity prices, which vary much more from state to state than relatively consistent gas prices.

Table. The cost to fully charge in Tesla Model S in different states

Gas prices sourced from: , May 2022

There are two main takeaways from the data above:

Electric recharges are cheaper than gas refuels

With gas prices at a national average of $4.242 per gallon, filling up your tank costs on average $50.90 for a smaller gas car, and $67.87 for a larger gas vehicle.

Electric running costs are much lower

The average annual distance driven in the US is 13,500 miles. Based on the average fuel efficiency for a gas car of 25.4 MPG, it would cost $2,255 in gas to drive one for a year. Fuel costs this high are a major financial burden to the American family.

See how much it would cost to charge an electric car with solar panels

How Much Do Electric Vehicles Emit When On The Road

Electrifying vehicles offers opportunities for emission savings. This is because, contrary to the manufacturing process, they generate very little emissions over their lifetime, especially when compared to conventional vehicles. Internal combustion engines operating on fossil fuel oil produce about 10% of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions. Like lithium for batteries, gasoline to power non-electric cars has to be mined. In this case, however, it is the refinement process once the crude oil has been extracted that is responsible for the majority of emissions, which consists only of greenhouse gases but also methane and nitrous dioxide. And while the argument that oil is going to be extracted for other uses regardless of whether we switch to EVs or not is often brought up, it is undeniable that phasing-out gasoline-powered vehicles is going to reduce the demand and consequently the emissions related to this industry.

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Advantages Of Electric Vehicles

It is always cheaper to charge your electric car than spend money on gas for a regular car.

Calculate Your Savings

You can find real-time comparison of average gas prices and electric car charging prices on the e-Gallon website.

Electric vehicles have other advantages over those powered by combustion engines:

• No fuel required so you save money on gas Paying $0.10 per kW is the equivalent of driving on gasoline that costs less than $1 per gallon. On average, drivers save about $700 in fuel costs per year while driving electric cars.
• Environmental friendly as they do not emit pollutants Drivers of electric vehicles have reduced CO2 emissions by more than 177,758,804 kg
• Lower maintenance due to an efficient electric motor Electric motors have less parts that lead to less damage than a traditional non electric vehicle which means you save on operating cost!
• Better PerformanceElectric cars are not only lighter but have faster acceleration

There Are Many Ways To Recharge An Electric Car

While charging your EV will never be as fast as filling your tank at the gas station, there are many different options to recharge your EV which vary in speed and affordability. Well explore the main EV charging options below.

Level 1 charging

This is the 120 V AC power cord that comes with your car. This method is by far the slowest, providing roughly 3 miles of range per hour of charging. We dont recommend relying on Level 1 charging.

Level 2 charging

The Level 2 chargers run off a 240 V connection – just like a washer or dryer – and require an electrician to install in your home. Depending on the model of electric vehicle, this usually costs between $550 to $2,000.

Depending on the Model of car and adapter on the charger, you can expect between 14 and 35 miles of range per hour of charging.

Installing a Level 2 charger if youve purchased an EV is highly recommended.

Level 3 charging

Level 3 charging can provide over 100 miles of range per hour of charging. Unfortunately Level 3 chargers are only available at public charging stations.

Level 3 chargers are also substantially more expensive costing between $0.28 and $0.69 per kWh. This makes sense, otherwise it wouldnt be economical for the stations to operate.

It also isnt recommended to rely on fast chargers since they are known to damage EV batteries over time. Fast chargers are best for road trips, not everyday use.

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You Can Fill Up At Home Or Work

Electric vehicles are without a doubt more convenient than gasoline cars are, especially when it comes to filling up. Instead of driving through the town searching for a gas station, you can easily charge your EV at home or work by simply plugging your car into a standard wall outlet. Whats more amazing is that home charging kits are readily available and affordable. You also have the option of using power from renewable sources such as solar to charge your electric car.

What Are The Arguments For Electric Cars

Top 10 Reasons You Should Switch to An Electric Car

• They are better for the environment.
• Theyre just as safeif not safer.
• They are cheaper and easier to maintain.
• Youll no longer have to pump gasor spend gas money.
• You can receive rebates and tax credits.
• The total cost of ownership is lower than gas-powered cars.

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Evs Offer A Great Driver Experience

EVs can also lead to an improved driver experience since the vehicles are much quieter, smoother and cleaner. The smoother battery engine removes the noise and heat generated by petrol and diesel-powered engines. EVs are also easy to operate and offer a low-effort driving experience. The vehicles inherent quietness while driving reduces stress in traffic – an attribute that most do not fully appreciate until they have experienced it.

EVs are considered by experts and users as having a greater technical performance than internal combustion engine cars.

Regenerative braking: Most EVs come with some form of regenerative braking system lifting your foot of the accelerator without touching the brake pedal will slow the car down to a complete stop.

Faster to accelerate: EVs deliver instant torque so they can accelerate much faster than comparable internal combustion engine cars. With no gears to work through, an EV can apply full power as soon as you touch the accelerator.

Better handling: Many EVs have been built with the battery running underneath the vehicle, as opposed to the front or rear of the vehicle. This lowers the centre of gravity and provides greater handling.

Theyre quiet: At low speeds, EVs produce almost no noise, making them more pleasant and fun to drive.

Evs Are Environmentally Friendly

EVs offer the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and harmful tailpipe emissions, especially when paired with renewable energy.

In Australia, the transport sector accounts for almost 20% of the total emissions. Transport emissions are the second largest source of emissions and the fastest growing source.

Battery electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, reducing the harmful air pollution from exhaust emissions. Pairing an EV with renewable energy, such as solar photovoltaic and battery storage can further reduce GHG emissions.

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The Government Offers Tax Breaks On Many Evs

The U.S. government offers a sweet tax rebate for buying certain electric vehicles. This deal can equal up to $7,500 back if you buy an EV. Some states also have tax rebates, sweetening the deal even further.

Not all EVs are eligible for this tax credit. Its only available until an automaker has sold a certain number of cars. As of June 2022, EVs sold by Tesla and General Motors are no longer eligible. Ask the car dealer whether the EV youve got your eye on is eligible for the tax credit, and if so, how much you can get back.

Are Hybrid Cars Just As Good For The Environment

Plug-in hybrids combine an electric motor with a traditional fuel engine and produce some emissions during a drive.

The green credentials of a hybrid depend on how much of the journey is driven on electric miles as well as the way in which the vehicle is charged. This is why it’s important for hybrid drivers to consider how their electricity is generated. Choose a form of renewable energy, like the GoElectric tariff, and youre making your contribution to reducing emissions.

All this shows that electric vehicles have a big role to play in reducing transport emissions and being a major factor in cleaning up the air we breathe.

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Money Is Money And Time Is Money

Theres something else to say about charging stations and the amount of time it takes to charge an electric cars batteries. Charging your cars battery can be a problem if youre in a hurry. Even fast charging stations can take up to 30 minutes to charge a cars battery pack to 80% capacity which isnt even close to a full charge! As a result, its best to accept early on that youll be spending more time waiting for your car batteries to charge rather than filling up the gas tank.

However, charging a battery pack can take up to eight hours, depending on whether youre using a Level 1 or Level 2 charger.

So Which Is Cheaper Overall

A U.S. Department of Energy report shows that after 15 years, electric cars generally cost less than similar gas-only models, when you factor in the price, maintenance, financing, repairs, the federal tax break and fuel costs. The electric version of a small SUV costs $0.4508 per mile, $0.0219 less than the $0.4727 per mile rate you get with a similar gas-based model.

Based on the average lifespan of a car 200,000 miles, according to Car and Driver the cost of a gas-fueled car would then be $94,540, while a similar EV would be $90,160, for a difference of $4,380. Note that this total does not include a possible state tax breaks, however, since they were not included as part of the study.

While EVs are generally cheaper than their gas counterparts in the long run, newer EVs with a battery range above 300 miles can end up costing more. Electric light duty vehicles that cover 300 miles with one battery charge have a per mile cost four cents higher than similar gas models, although that’s mostly because they’re newer, cutting-edge electric vehicles that are sold at luxury car prices.

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Are Evs As Fast As Fuel Cars

Many people associate power with the deep sound of revving engines and mistake EVs silence to mean they are lacking in speed and performance. In fact, the opposite is true. EVs accelerate faster than gas-powered cars and have more than enough speed for every-day usage.

The reason for this is that electric motors are much simpler than internal combustion engines. Therefore, EVs can provide full torque the force that drives the vehicle forward from 0 kilometers, resulting in instant acceleration. In comparison, traditional combustion engines take longer to get engine-generated power to the wheels and might need to rev up in order to reach maximum torque. With traditional fuel cars, the power also has to go through more moving parts, like the gearbox, making them less efficient.

Maintaining Your Electric Vehicle

All-electric vehicles have fewer moving parts compared to gas-powered vehicles, which may lead to the assumption that they are cheaper to maintain. In some respects, this is true electric vehicles dont require oil changes or regular tuneups, and because of regenerative braking, brake systems may also last longer.

Instead, one of the largest costs associated with electric vehicles may be its eventual battery replacement. Those buying a brand new car may not need to worry about this just yet, but those wanting to go the pre-owned route may see this cost come up sooner rather than later. Green Cars estimates that the average cost of replacing the battery is between $5,000 to $15,000, even before labor. However, it can help to know that modern batteries can last up to 10 years or more, depending on the car itself, how its driven and charged, and more. Additionally, according to Autoweek, many manufacturers offer warranties on EV batteries, sometimes up to 100,000 miles or 10 years.

*Tesla models are shown separately due to their predominance, which could obscure the legacy automakers that have recently introduced BEVs.

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/10 Nobody Mentions Maintenance And Replacement Costs

Its true that electric cars rid you of the problem of paying for gas. But just because you save on fuel, that doesnt mean you save on everything else. Those battery packs, for example, are expensive. Theyre not as expensive as they used to be battery packs used to cost around $1,000 per kWh a decade ago but still, theyre still going to put a dent in your pocket. Multiply that by their total output and youre looking at costs of around $12,000 to $20,000 to replace. While theres no certainty that youre going to have to replace them in a specific period of time, if you own an electric car and drive it long enough, theres a good chance that a battery pack replacement will be in order down the road. Who knows, you might have to do it more than once over the lifetime of your electric car. Imagine paying more than $50,000 for an electric car, only to pay a fortune on a battery pack replacement down the road. Were not even taking into account other issues that could happen to these cars.

Electric Vs Gas Cars: Which One Is Better For You

Nick Versaw

Electric cars are finally having their moment. Not only are more drivers choosing electric and hybrid vehicles for their next purchase, but several automakers are planning to phase gasoline cars entirely out of their production lines over the next few decades.

Even with all the hype, you might still be wondering whether now is the right time to buy an EV. Should you switch from a gas-powered vehicle or wait until prices go down and more charging stations are available?

Weve weighed the pros and cons of electric vs. gas cars to help you compare them in three different areas: environmental impact, ownership costs, and range.

Compare EVs Near You

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