More people are evaluating the pros and cons of electric cars, as these types of vehicles have gained universal appeal. With better batteries and engines, expanding their driving ranges and performance, the pros of electric cars are attracting more buyers.
Reducing carbon emissions is where electric vehicle (EV) popularity starts, but the advantages of electric vehicles go beyond that. Here, we go into the details of the pros and cons of electric vehicles so that you have the insights you need to decide if driving one is right for you.
What are EVs?
An EV is a car powered by an electric motor, versus a gasoline combustion engine. Instead of generating power by burning gasoline, an EV draws electricity from an on-board battery bank. To power your EV, you charge its batteries on a home or commercial public charger. You can drive until your batteries are low on power and require a recharge. Your range depends on the type, size and quality of your battery bank.
The Pros of Electric Cars
In considering the pros and cons of electric cars, let's start with the positives. As technology matures, EVs offer more advantages with fewer disadvantages.
Energy efficiency
Using less energy to perform the same amount of work means you are using energy more efficiently. One of the strongest advantages of electric vehicles is their energy efficiency. The typical EV converts 77% of energy consumed to power the car. Gasoline cars only use 12-30% of the energy of the gasoline burned to power the car. The rest dissipates as heat.
Improved power
Unlike gasoline engines, EVs deliver power to your wheels more quickly. EV engines are simple and don’t need to cycle through gears to get up to speed. Many EV models can go from zero to mph in under seconds, with some accelerating to speed in two seconds.
Clean energy usage
Your EV is not spewing pollutants from its tailpipe. In fact, it does not even have a tailpipe. A gas vehicle emits 8,887 grams of carbon dioxide for every gallon of gasoline burned. Even if you charge your EV with electricity generated from fossil fuels, you are emitting a third less CO2 than a gasoline vehicle getting 32 miles per gallon. You can use this Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator to compare your current car to an EV.
Easier maintenance
Among the electric car pros and cons are the issues around maintenance. Here, EVs tend to have the edge. The motor and electronics are simpler, with fewer moving parts, thus requiring little-to-no maintenance. Your primary concern will be caring for your battery bank.
Keep your charge level above 10%, ideally above 50% as much as possible, and do not charge it above 90%. You will also need to take care that your batteries do not freeze and that you don’t charge your EV while temperatures are below freezing. Storing your EV in a temperature-controlled garage and using a Level 2 home charger can help you avoid extreme cold and achieve faster charging times without needing to use a public charging station.
