The Pros and Cons of Electric Cars: Are You Ready to Make the Switch?

Since the year 2005, the global demand for electric vehicles has skyrocketed to over 1 billion. Manufacturers are flooding the market with brand new electric models, with major car manufacturers releasing several new electric models every year. Here are some of the pros and cons of making the switch to an electric car.

Pros

Trading in your gasoline powered vehicle for an electric one does have many benefits. The pros of switching to electric cars are arguably higher than the cons.

Electricity Is More Affordable Than Gasoline

According to a recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan, the average annual cost of driving a new gasoline vehicle in the United States was $1,117; while the average annual cost of driving an electric vehicle was only $485. These numbers show that the cost of operating an electric car is almost a third that of operating a gasoline powered one. It is also possible to install solar panels and have your car recharged off the grid, for even bigger savings.

Quiet Operation

Urban centers are noisy with the sound of gasoline powered engines. You can even experience this noise if you live in the country, near a busy highway. The engines in electric cars, on the other hand, are extremely quiet. In fact, they are so silent that legislators in many countries have enacted laws to have them fitted with noise making devices, to alert pedestrians that an electric vehicle is approaching.

Zero Emissions
Gas combustion emissions are a major source of global pollution today. Electric vehicles rely on a rechargeable battery to run, and therefore, have zero emissions - they don't have an air polluting tailpipe the way their gas counterparts do.

Less Maintenance
The cost of maintaining a gas-powered car is higher than an electric car. Gas-only vehicles usually necessitate frequent oil changes and repairs from general wear and tear due to so many moving parts. The longevity of electric cars is exceptional, though. They can continue to function like almost like new up to ten years after purchase, with minimal repairs.

Cons

Electric cars are not without their drawbacks. Depending on your situation, these are some reasons why an electric vehicle might not be right for you.

Short Range

Most electric cars will maintain a range of 60 to 100 miles on a full battery recharge. A few of the newest models average as much as 150 to 200 miles. The best distance an electric car can usually provide is approximately 200 miles. A gas-powered car doesn't have these distance limitations. When you need to drive long distances at a time, this is something you'll want to consider.

Recharging Takes a While

Compared to the minutes or seconds it takes to refill a gasoline engine's tank, an electric engine takes a while to fully recharge - about 15 hours on average. If you purchase an electric vehicle, you'll need down-time to recharge it.

Buying Price Is High

The initial investment required to purchase an electric car is currently higher than a similar sized gas powered car. The most affordable electric vehicle costs around $30,000 to $50,000, compared with $20,000 to $35,000 for a new gas model. Although the savings on fuel will likely pay for the car's cost over time, if you don't have a lot of money to invest upfront, an electric car might not be an option for you.

Should you make the switch to an electric car? The answer depends on many different factors. Weigh the pros and cons, to decide what’s right for you. And remember, gas or electric, keep it clean at Speedwash Car Wash.