Are You Thinking About Converting to Electric Cars? Before making this change, here are a few key things you should keep in mind before switching over.
Electric cars offer several advantages over gas-powered vehicles, including lower operating costs and zero tailpipe emissions. You can charge your EV at home using an adapter, or take advantage of public charging networks like Electrify America and Chargepoint to charge it up.
Cost
One of the primary considerations when purchasing an electric vehicle is price. While overall they tend to cost less than gas-powered models, upfront and ongoing maintenance and charging expenses may still make up part of their total costs.
Price of an electric vehicle depends on its battery size and efficiency; which is measured in kWhs per 100 miles similar to how fuel economy rating works on cars. As this number rises, so too will its range increase with each charge.
Buyers of an electric vehicle (EV) should also factor in any additional fees associated with ownership, including state emissions testing and registration costs, replacing more costly parts than their traditional counterparts, and higher premiums due to possible involvement of high-tech equipment in accidents. Furthermore, buyers must factor in installation of Level 2 home charging. Electricity prices may differ by region and some utilities offer discounted off-peak charging times which could lower fueling costs significantly.
Range
Electric vehicles run solely on electricity stored in a battery pack that energizes one or more electric motors, producing zero tailpipe emissions. Their batteries can be charged most anywhere at anytime at significantly reduced costs when compared with fueling with gasoline, and many models now boasting ranges over 500 miles on full charge.
A number of factors, including battery size and size of passengers or cargo carried can impact an EV’s range; such as how quickly it accelerates and the amount of times air conditioning and heater are used as well as your driving style can impact how far it will travel.
Reducing energy demands can help extend your driving range on one charge, as can planning to avoid traffic and maximize regenerative braking opportunities. For frequent long trips, consider purchasing a longer-range model for even greater fuel economy.
Performance
Electric vehicles may lack the top speeds of gas-powered cars, but they make up for it with seamless acceleration that’s smooth and quick. That’s because EV motors don’t have to deal with shifting gears efficiently; instead they convert over 77% of electrical energy directly into propulsion power.
Electric motors contain fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines (ICE), making maintenance costs lower as well. Furthermore, electric vehicles are cleaner than their traditional counterparts. No tailpipe pollutants are released into the environment while power plants using nuclear, hydroelectric, solar or wind energy generate power without emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Based on battery size, most EV models can travel 150-300 miles between charges. But range can depend on several factors including outside temperature and driving style – and even longer trips should include charging breaks for maximum mileage. Drivers quickly learn to adapt their driving styles in order to optimize mileage – contrary to what critics might claim about owning an EV! EV ownership actually makes life simpler!
Safety
As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly popular among both consumers and automakers, new safety concerns are emerging. Battery-powered cars weigh significantly more than their gas powered counterparts and this extra weight raises concerns among traffic safety advocates.
Studies show that electric vehicles (EVs) are typically safer than their traditional counterparts in most types of collisions, due to their increased weight absorbing more of an impact force and protecting occupants. Furthermore, due to EVs having batteries located under their vehicles at a lower center of gravity which helps them remain stable during crashes and prevent them from rolling over during an incident.
However, lithium-ion battery fires remain an ongoing challenge for EV owners and first responders. To combat this threat, industry standards and regulations are being developed that provide manufacturers with clearer guidelines for battery storage and emergency protocols. First responders should also have adequate tools and training available in case an anaerobic EV battery fire occurs that produces toxic smoke.
