As the world continues to clamour for greener alternatives to everything we do, electric cars are seen as a great part of the solution to the problem, and rightfully so! Not only are these cars becoming more popular by the day, but the innovative methodology is also seen as the future. For this reason, it will in no time become necessary for everyone to go this way.
However, as it is with most (if not all) things, there are advantages and disadvantages. As electric car companies continue to increase, 2022 will be another year where we will definitely see an increase in demand. If you are considering purchasing one, there are certain things you should know to better prepare yourself and know what to expect when you finally own one. We have put together some pros and cons you need to be aware of before getting one. How are electric cars better than conventional petrol-powered cars and vice versa? Surf on!
Pros
- Reduction in carbon footprint
This is probably the number one thing that comes to mind at the mention of electric vehicles. Compared to conventional petrol-powered cars, they emit 0% CO2 and other greenhouse gases. This 0% carbon emission makes it environmentally friendly and thus, the greener alternative. Not only that, if we also consider the charging of these vehicles with the use of solar energy, that makes for 100% carbonless transportation.
- Low running cost
When it comes to powering these machines, the cost of petrol is not a thing to worry about. If you own a conventional car, you already know how much it costs you a month to fuel it, but that’s not the case with electric cars.
- Low cost of maintenance
Maintenance is one important thing to keep in mind when purchasing a car. In this aspect, EVs also take the upper hand. The traditional maintenance culture of frequent oil changes and the likes are non-existent for EV owners. This is because these cars don’t have as many moving parts as cars making use of mechanical engines that tend to need more attention. For this reason, electric cars will also last longer.
- Near silent operation
One of the most appreciated features or quality of electric cars that owners often appreciate is how they operate without noise. When powered up, they make no noise, thereby reducing pollution in some way. Compared to traditional cars that use combustion engines which requires the movement of various parts to operate, EVs are the opposite.
Cons
- Not enough charging points
A usual and common concern about electric cars is the fact that there are still not enough charging points. While there’ve been efforts made to increase the numbers in Ireland, a lot still has to be done to improve the user experience of owners of EVs. This becomes particularly important when travelling a long distance.
- Cost of purchase
While we may attribute the low cost of maintenance, low running cost, and so on to electric cars, we also cannot deny the fact that they are far more expensive compared to traditional petrol and diesel-fueled vehicles. Buying an EV should rather be seen as an upfront investment as it is going to take some time before actually getting to realize all the money to be saved from the cost of maintenance and running.
- Duration of charging and range anxiety
The aspect of charging is another thing that could make one question whether EVs are actually worth the hype. Very few minutes is all it takes to fill a tank of a traditional petrol and diesel car, but with electric cars, it takes on average 8 hours to fully charge. Electric car companies like Tesla are working on ways to reduce how long customers have to wait to get a full charge through new tech, however, it will still take a long time. It still feels impossible to charge an EV in the same amount of time it takes to fuel a traditional car and coupled with range anxiety, that could occasionally make for an unpleasant experience.
- A different high cost of maintenance
EVs indeed have a low cost of maintenance as earlier said, however, its cost of maintenance can be quite high in a different way. For example, the replacement of the battery is high. Also, while you don’t need to buy petrol or diesel, you need to pay for the electricity you use in powering your car at home.