Electric cars have taken the world by storm. If you are considering buying an electric car for personal or business use, you have to consider a lot of factors before making the purchase. Before we tell you whether or not you should buy an electric car right now, let’s first discuss a bit more about electric cars.
Should I Buy an Electric Car Now or Wait? Yes, you should buy an electric car now. The electric car is a little expensive but it is worth it. The petrol and diesel car are comparatively cheaper than electric cars, but you can save a lot of costs as the fuel price is too high. So overall, you can save a lot of money if you will buy an electric car.
Electric cars are reinventing the automobile industry by disrupting the normal rules of oil and car manufacturing, making them more environmentally friendly and capable of replacing fossil fuel-burning vehicles entirely.
Your electric car purchase is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. So, before you spend your hard-earned money, it’s worth looking at some factors. Before we proceed any further, keep in mind that there are many options available in the market.
Automobile manufacturers from all around the world have moved their focus to electric vehicles. Those who fail to keep up will ultimately be left behind.
To assist you in making your decision, we will look at everything from pricing to charging convenience and the variety of electric models available in the market. Let’s have a look!
What Are the Reasons to Buy an Electric Car?
The brain drain that comes with the rapid adoption of emerging technology is a cause of concern. This can especially be the case for electric vehicles (EVs), but a closer look at the advantages the technology has to offer should be enough to convince the skeptics.
Plus, the purchase comes with a wide range of benefits, such as saving on your commute, lowering your emissions, etc.
Here, we have compiled a list of reasons to buy an electric car:
1. Environment Friendly
One of the reasons to go electric is that electric cars are better for the environment. Compared to a traditional gas-powered car, electric cars emit 80% fewer carbon emissions.
Moreover, they have substantial environmental benefits, including reducing toxic exhaust pollutants such as particulates (soot), carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, fumes, hydrocarbons, lead, and other hazardous chemical compounds.
Buying an electric car will help you lower your carbon footprint, which is a significant element in air quality. Cities and towns are becoming increasingly polluted. According to statistics, poisonous air has been one of the causes of 40,000 premature deaths in the US.
Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by relying on renewable energy generation. Many countries are switching to renewable energy sources.
As a result, even charging your electric car can be ecologically friendly because the majority of the energy sources will be clean such as geothermal, solar, hydro, and wind.
Read Are electric cars eco-friendly?
2. Minimal Costs
One of the major concerns of drivers is the fuel expense. But not anymore; unlike gasoline or diesel-based engines, electric cars are inexpensive to operate.
As the demand for electric cars is rising, manufacturers are producing more models. Although the initial investment is quite high, the operating costs are extremely affordable.
Besides that, charging is another concern highlighted by electric car drivers. The standard charging cord with electric cars usually takes 12-15 hours to charge.
To increase your charging efficiency both in cost and time, you can charge your electric cars at home. Install an E.V. charging port, plug in your car overnight to take advantage of lower rates, and wake up to a fully charged car in 6-8 hours for a few pennies. Stats show that most electric car owners charge their cars at home 80% of the time.
3. Lower Maintenance Costs
By buying an electric car, not only you’ll save money on the operating costs of an electric car but also on gas and maintenance. There’s no need to keep a check on your oil filter because electric cars do not have an engine that requires oil, thus helping you save money on oil and filter change.
Moreover, they have fewer moving parts, which means you can save money on the repairs as well.
In addition, they have a regenerative braking system that can feed energy to your car’s battery every time you place your foot off the accelerator. Isn’t it simple? So, if you want to avoid all these extra expenses and minimize car breakdowns, an electric car is the right choice for you.
Read Electric Car Roadside Assistance
4. Sustain to Weather Changes
You may be surprised to learn that you can charge your electric car in any weather. There’s a common misconception about charging electric cars that charging them during rain or snow is impossible. Moreover, they even believe that you may get electrocuted. But that’s not the case at all.
These concerns were there in the minds of automotive engineers while manufacturing electric cars. Therefore, before introducing them to the market, electric cars are tested to ensure they are safe to drive and charge irrespective of the weather.
Not only the cars but the charging stations are designed in a way that protects against any kind of short circuit or spark due to the protective covering applied to them.
5. Long-Lasting Battery System
The battery is another concern if we talk about electric cars, especially for those planning to buy an electric car soon. Most electric car batteries offer a warranty with a minimum guarantee of 5 to 8 years or 100,000 km.
Moreover, they can even last up to 10 years under normal driving conditions without replacement. That’s great news for all the new buyers because, according to stats, that’s even longer than a person keeps a new car.
Most manufacturers are attempting to further extend the battery life of electric cars to eliminate the need for battery replacement. In addition, Tesla is developing an electric car that will last a million miles and won’t have to be replaced.
Read Best Extension Cord for Charging Electric Cars
What Are the Reasons Not to Buy an Electric Car?
Unplugging fossil fuels is still the ultimate eco-friendly choice you can make. However, that doesn’t make the downsides any easier to handle, so it’s a good idea to understand all your options before going electric.
Now that you know the benefits of buying an electric car, let’s talk about the cons to make an informed decision.
1. Charging Infrastructure
Due to the lack of charging stations, many people have abandoned the idea of purchasing an electric car. If you are planning a road trip with your friends or family, keep in mind that you won’t find many charging stations out there, and even if you do, they probably won’t have an efficient charging system.
A survey shows that there are less than 46,000 charging stations all over the US. Until you do not have a charging system installed at your place, charging an electric car will become difficult.
Although the government is trying to address this issue, how long it will take to add more fast-charging stations is still unclear, which is why many believe that now is not the right time for buying an electric car.
2. Short Range
There is a heated debate on whether the range of an electric car is more of a curse than a blessing. Electric cars often have a limited range and speed. Most of these cars have a range of around 80 to 100, after which it is mandatory to charge your electric car.
As a result, you can run out of charge frequently. Moreover, another factor that affects the range is the battery. With time, your car’s battery capacity will deteriorate, resulting in a decrease in the number of kilometers it can run.
3. Expensive
One of the major disadvantages of buying an electric automobile is that they are too expensive. Electric cars are approximately twice as expensive as gasoline-powered vehicles.
Even the less expensive brands can cost around $30,000 to $40,000. If you are looking for a luxury car, it may cost around $80,000 or more.
Although the technology is advancing and manufacturers are trying to introduce more cars at an affordable rate, it will take time.
4. Minimum Choices
Most people value the features of a car the most; thus, they continuously change the aesthetics of their vehicle to give it a new look.
However, this is a constraint with electric cars because they offer only a few modification possibilities. On the other hand, conventional cars allow for a wide range of customizations.
Read How many solar panels does it take to charge an electric car?
Most Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Purchasing Electric Cars
Now that we have discussed the pros and cons of purchasing an electric car. Let’s answer the most frequently asked questions.
There are mainly three types of EVs: Plug-in Hybrid, All-electric, and fuel cell electric. They have all been designed to meet different driving requirements.
In the US, EVs are common only in metropolitan areas. The main reason for that is considered to be range anxiety. EVS are not common in areas where charging stations are located at a distance.
Yes, they do. People are usually uncertain about the range of an electric car. If the driving range of the vehicle is 300 miles, it is best to think of it as a 250-mile EV.
The total driving range of an EV can vary up to 10%. The primary factors that affect its mileage include the battery’s capacity, road topology, driving style, turning on the air-conditioner or heater, etc.
The charging time depends on the size of the battery. On average, an EV takes up to 8 hours to be fully charged from the scale of zero. In almost 35 minutes, the vehicle will be charged enough to cover a driving range of 100 miles.
The very first and most important accessory for an Electric car is a battery charger. There are different types of chargers available based on their charging speed. You may need to buy a charger of more than one type for healthy battery life; other essentials include EV tires and a tool kit.
Read Do Electric Cars Depreciate Faster?
Ending Note
If you are considering buying an electric car, you might not be sure if now is the right time to buy it. Should you wait for prices to come down until the charging network is more reliable, or should you buy now because the technology is improving?
Although electric automobiles seem to be more expensive to purchase than gasoline-powered cars, this does not imply that you should not think of buying one. Whether you should wait or not relies completely on your personal choice. You may feel conflicted between the desire to go electric and the purchase price.
However, if you’re on the lookout for a new automobile and are concerned about your carbon impact, purchasing an electric vehicle will be perfect for you. If you are only concerned about charging stations, you can install one at your home. We hope this article helped you make an informed decision.
Related electric car articles:
- What Is the Best Electric Car Jack for You?
- How far can an electric car go on one charge?
- What Happens if an Electric Car Gets Wet?
- Can You Tow an Electric Car If It Breaks Down?
- Are Electric Cars Cheap To Insure?
- Electric Vehicle Charging Station Requirements in California
My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.