Electric vehicles were invented by the end of the 19th century, but they account for just 2.2% of cars in the world today. However, global leaders are planning to make EVs the solitary means of transportation by 2050 to curb traditional cars’ harmful emissions. Several companies manufacture these vehicles, and soon electric cars will outnumber conventional automobiles. However, most people might take time to get the hang of electric automobiles. Many complain that recharging the battery takes time, there aren’t many charging stations available, and companies don’t have many models. Then what makes electric cars a more suitable option than traditional ones? We’ll attempt to explain the reasons below.
Benefits of purchasing an electric vehicle
COVID’s emergence impacted all sectors and industries. However, according to the Guardian, EV dealerships broke all sales records during an ongoing pandemic since people seem to have rekindled their passion for saving the environment. An electric vehicle – as the name indicates – depends on battery-powered engines that effectively reduce carbon emissions. What more qualities make these futuristic vehicles a more lucrative alternative to your conventional modes of transportation? We’ll discuss some reasons for switching to electric cars here:
- Greater convenience: –
Fortunately, you don’t have to find a gasoline station to charge your electric vehicle since it’s possible to charge the car at home. Let’s say you’re willing to buy a Chevy Volt and are delighted with its functionality; in that case, you will also need a charger. You can purchase a Chevy Volt charger with different battery sizes, electric ranges, and charge times. Just plug your charger and reenergize your EV in domestic settings. Also, electric vehicles have simpler batteries, so you don’t have to worry about maintenance problems. With the ease of charging your car at home, you don’t have to rush outside to power it.
- Affordability: –
It might seem expensive to purchase an electric vehicle, but EVs are more cost-effective than a traditional car. According to the ICCT, driving a hybrid automobile cuts your costs by half. And estimates prove that driving an electric car saves you 1,000 to 1,500 dollars over that vehicle’s lifetime. EVs are also affordable to maintain than their gasoline-powered counterparts. It serves as yet another reason why people consider switching to electric automobiles and join the movement to reduce carbon emissions.
- Impeccable quietness: –
Another unique feature associated with electric vehicles involves their sinister silence. They’re quiet inside and outside, to the extent that this silence even appears offsetting to some drivers. An EV’s soundless attribute has compelled some manufacturers to make them emit artificial sounds to warn pedestrians. Also, the only noise EVs create is either produced by the tires or generated by air resistance. Aside from that, electric vehicles are dead-silent and won’t disturb even the birds chirping nearby.
- Offers a smooth experience: –
An electric vehicle’s engine generates torque instantly, enabling drivers to control the car comfortably. The machine responds to your instructions smoothly and accelerates/decelerates accordingly. Since these vehicles also have a low center of gravity, you can handle them effectively without any difficulty whatsoever. No wonder other drivers don’t get aware of a hybrid car passing through the road. Also, an EV’s driving performance has been approved by race series such as Formula E.
- Fast charging: –
Electric vehicles aren’t tricky to charge, and their batteries typically last for days. It’ll take you 8-12 hours to charge your EV’s battery from empty to full. It can take around 20 minutes for your car to prepare for the next journey at a charging station. The fastest-charging EVs today give you 20 miles/minute. Experts recommend that you don’t run your EV to empty since it may damage the battery. “Deep discharging” ruins the battery cells and takes overnight to recharge as well.
To further support the convenience of electric vehicles, many businesses and public spaces are now ensuring that commercial EV chargers installed by ACP, Blink, and EVgo are readily available. These chargers are more robust and efficient, catering specifically to the needs of drivers who require quick top-ups during their daily routines. As a result, electric vehicle owners are able to find charging stations more easily, and the stress associated with finding a place to charge away from home is significantly reduced. Electric vehicles are becoming more affordable and practical as infrastructure improves, enhancing their appeal as a means of transportation.
- Little to no idling: –
What’s idling? It involves your engine still turning and burning fuel while your vehicle isn’t moving. Idling wastes millions of dollars worth of petroleum annually and contributes to air pollution too. Though 60% of drivers don’t know that, leaving your engine idling counts as a legal offense. But EVs switch off the engine automatically when the driver’s waiting for the red light. Electric vehicles prevent idling by using the battery power to keep your AC on.
- High resale value: –
Electric vehicles count as a relatively modern phenomenon since they’re highly advanced and aren’t mainstream yet. However, it’s become normal to switch to EVs, as they contribute to making the world eco-friendly. Therefore, if you consider selling your hybrid after a few years, you can still get more of your money back. The traditional machines have a higher depreciation status. So, investing in electric cars seems like a golden opportunity in 2021.
- Tax benefits: –
Owning a hybrid vehicle also comes under several tax benefits. In the United States, consumers are eligible for a $7,500 federal income tax benefit. These federal EV tax grants have a 200,000-vehicle cap which the current administration wishes to eliminate. Moreover, cars with CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km aren’t subjected to road taxes. Similarly, you can receive a £3,000 government grant for purchasing a hybrid. But your car is required to have carbon dioxide emissions under 50 g/km.
- Eco-friendly: –
Lastly, the most significant advantage associated with electric vehicles deals with zero carbon emissions. An EV operates approximately emission-free, and it’s still got some room for improvement. Traditional vehicles depend solely on fossil fuels that contribute to global warming by exhausting fine particles that damage the environment and endanger people’s health. Even if electric cars aren’t greener than traditional ones, they have the least deteriorating impact on our climate. However, their zero tailpipe emissions have EVs cleaner, greener, and better for the environment than ICE vehicles. That’s why these electric alternatives are gradually penetrating the global transportation industry.
Conclusion
Among all industries, transportation contributes most significantly to the greenhouse effect that leads to global warming. Statistics published by the EPA dictate that vehicles produce 29% of carbon emissions in the United States. So, switching to electric cars might decelerate the threat of climate change. Since vehicle emissions serve as one of the most significant sustainability challenges worldwide, the transportation sector must walk down the road of progress by adopting EVs. Transitioning to eco-friendly cars has become mainstream in several countries, and you aren’t alone if you’re considering buying one. There are several cost-effective options available to consumers, and electric cars aren’t luxuries only available for the wealthy anymore.