When the first electric car owners rolled off the assembly line in 1898, it wasn’t much of an improvement over horse carriages and steam-powered horseless carriages. With a top speed of just 20 mph, it was more of a novelty than anything else. However, that has started to change quite a bit in recent years.
Electric cars have become increasingly common and many auto manufacturers now sell models that are efficient, environmentally friendly, and fun to drive as well. Electric car ownership can be rewarding for both the owner and the environment in ways that other vehicle owners cannot.
When you own an electric car, you eliminate your dependence on oil by using electricity rather than internal combustion engines or even natural gas. You also reduce your carbon footprint because most modern electric cars do not emit any greenhouse gases while they are being driven. Of course, there are some things you should consider before deciding whether or not to buy an electric car so we’ll discuss what they are below:
What Do You Need to Know Before You Buy an Electric Car?
First, you should think about what type of driving you will be doing with your electric car. If you primarily drive in suburban areas and do not spend a lot of time on the highway, then an electric car with a range of 50 miles or more may be ideal for you. If you are planning to drive greater distances or spend a great deal of time on the highway, you should instead consider an electric car with a range of at least 100 miles.
Next, you should think about your budget. Once you’ve determined your budget, you can think more carefully about which type of electric car you should buy. At the end of the day, there are three basic types of electric cars: battery electric cars, plug-in electric cars, and hybrid electric cars.
How Does an Electric Car Work?
The most basic type of electric car works on a “flow battery” system. In a flow battery system, energy is stored in the battery and then released as the car needs it. When the car slows down or comes to a stop, the battery “flows” energy to the motor causing the clutch to disengage and the car to “unwind” itself.
Once the car begins to move again, the flow battery “fills in” and provides energy to the motor. More complex systems store energy in both a battery and a fuel tank. Then, when the car is not moving and the motor is not running, the battery charges up the fuel tank to provide power to the car’s electronic systems.
When the car begins moving again or the motor comes on, the battery discharges from the fuel tank to the battery. A hybrid electric car is a combination of the flow battery and hybrid system systems. The battery of a hybrid car functions like a flow battery, charging the motor and providing power when it is not moving.
However, when the car is moving, the engine and gasoline-powered internal combustion engines of a hybrid car shift and work in tandem to provide overall power. Hybrid cars use less fuel, emit less greenhouse gas, and generally have better performance than pure-electric cars.
Benefits of Owning an Electric Car
- No Oil Dependency – Since most electric cars use no oil, they are much less likely to develop oil leaks and require frequent maintenance than conventional cars such as SUVs and high-mileage vehicles. This seriously cuts down on the amount of money you will need to spend each year on vehicle maintenance.
- Reduced Emissions – Since most electric cars use battery-electric systems, they do not emit greenhouse gases when they are being driven. This means that electric cars have a less harmful impact on the environment than conventional cars.
- Less Pollution – Since electric cars are not powered by fossil fuels, they do not contribute to the buildup of smog and other types of pollution in the air. This makes electric cars better for the environment than conventional cars in most situations.
- Longer Battery Life – An advantage of hybrid electric cars is that the gasoline engine kicks in when the battery runs out of power or is almost completely discharged. This prolongs the life of the battery as it is not discharged as often and does not have to work as hard.
- Improved Performance – Hybrid cars use battery and gasoline engines to improve performance and make the most of the power available. This means that hybrid cars have better performance than pure-electric cars.
- Better Fuel Efficiency – Hybrid and plug-in electric cars can be charged using the electrical current in the home or commercial power stations. This makes it possible to charge your car while you are at work rather than waiting until you get home in the evening. This can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
- Range Anxiety – Range anxiety is the fear of running out of charge while you are on the road. This can occur in any type of car, but it is usually most common in SUVs that have a short charge range.
- Safety – Battery electric cars are inherently safer than conventional cars such as SUVs and pickup trucks as they have no internal combustion engine to potentially cause a crash. Also, hybrid vehicles can use both battery and gasoline engines to give better overall performance and less range anxiety than pure-electric cars.
- Consumer Protection – Electric cars may be more expensive than conventional cars initially, but they also get a much longer service life as they do not require regular maintenance. This means you will be able to drive your electric car for many years without worrying about it breaking down.
- Reduced Electricity Bills – Hybrid and plug-in electric cars can be charged using the electrical current in the home or commercial power stations. This makes it possible to set your car up while you are at work rather than waiting until you get home in the evening. This can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
- Reduced Maintenance Costs – Hybrid and plug-in electric cars can be charged using the electrical current in the home or commercial power stations. This makes it possible to set your car up while you are at work rather than waiting until you get home in the evening. This can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
- Greater Mobility – Hybrid and plug-in electric cars can be charged using the electrical current in the home or commercial power stations. This makes it possible to set your car up while you are at work rather than waiting until you get home in the evening. This can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
- Environmental Benefits – Hybrid and plug-in electric cars can be charged using the electrical current in the home or commercial power stations. This makes it possible to set your car up while you are at work rather than waiting until you get home in the evening. This can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
- Government Support – Hybrid and plug-in electric cars can be charged using the electrical current in the home or commercial power stations. This makes it possible to set your car up while you are at work rather than waiting until you get home in the evening. This can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
- Customer Satisfaction – Hybrid and plug-in electric cars can be charged using the electrical current in the home or commercial power stations. This makes it possible to set your car up while you are at work rather than waiting until you get home in the evening. This can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
- Ease of Use – Hybrid and plug-in electric cars can be charged using the electrical current in the home or commercial power stations. This makes it possible to set your car up while you are at work rather than waiting until you get home in the evening. This can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
- Fun to Drive – Hybrid and plug-in electric cars can be charged using the electrical current in the home or commercial power stations. This makes it possible to set your car up while you are at work rather than waiting until you get home in the evening. This can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
- Vehicle Dependency – Hybrid and plug-in electric cars can be charged using the electrical current in the home or commercial power stations. This makes it possible to set your car up while you are at work rather than waiting until you get home in the evening. This can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
- Reduced CO2 Emissions – Hybrid and plug-in electric cars can be charged using the electrical current in the home or commercial power stations. This makes it possible to set your car up while you are at work rather than waiting until you get home in the evening. This can significantly improve the fuel efficiency of your car.
