Battery operated vehicles have been around since the 19th century but only recently have they gained popularity due to immense improvement in their design. (specifically battery longevity and efficiency)
The future for electric vehicles is bright, and even though they are not widespread today, the awareness and interest in them is growing exponentially. An electric car is not a single entity which suits everyone’s needs. If you opt for owning one, there are certain factors and personal preferences to consider in order to find the best match for you.
Why So Popular?
First, an electric vehicle will save you a lot of money in the long run. Charging an EV amounts to about one-third of the price of fuel for the same vehicle. With fewer moving parts and no expensive exhaust and injection systems, there will be much less servicing and much more saving.
While current numbers of EV vehicles on the road account for a mere 2% of the global market, this figure is expected to rise drastically. The benefits of owning an electric car are reflected in its environmentally friendly concept. An EV has zero exhaust emissions, and greenhouse emissions are reduced even further by using renewable energy to charge it. You can even use solar power instead of charging it on the grid. What’s more, the engineers are striving towards more eco-friendly production techniques and materials. The Ford Focus Electric, for instance, is made of recycled and bio-based materials such as water bottles, plastic bags, old car parts and the like.
Consider the Cost
If you feel you would benefit from such a vehicle, don’t rush into purchasing one without considering the costs involved. Also, keep in mind that you have a choice between a new car and a used one. Going for a used electric car is actually a much better deal than when you’re buying a used gas-powered car since it has been driven considerably less and is most probably in much better shape.
A reduction in maintenance costs is also a factor not to be neglected. The good news is that you’ll save on oil changes and gas. The most expensive part here is certainly the battery, but many come with warranties since they are effectively the only part which gets ‘worn’ over time – but even this has been factored in by manufacturers which are offering replacements after an extended period of time.
Charging Convenience
Charging options are crucial, to say the least. Ideally, you should have enough charging stations on your route to never have to stress about being left without power. However, if you reside in a rural area and have a need for a lot of long-distance driving, maybe you should consider a hybrid. A gas or diesel engine hybrid will provide the much needed extra range to alleviate your anxiety.
Charging takes place at one’s home for the most part, and unfortunately, many EV owners charge their vehicles from domestic sockets; not only is this method unnecessarily slow, but it is also potentially dangerous, especially if older properties are in question.
Done in a safe way, this is also an option of course, but you need to have your wiring thoroughly checked by a professional in order to make sure you have all the circuit breakers, isolation switches and protection from overheating. Still, a charger specially designed for your electric car is a much better option. It will charge your vehicle at up to 60% faster than a regular socket.
The next thing to consider is charging on the move. Now you have a variety of apps and websites mapping public charging points across the country so you can arrange your trip accordingly.
The electric car promises to be an affordable, accessible, green option that will hopefully substitute the gas-powered cars for the sake of the environment as well as our budgets. With a steadily growing number of manufacturers adopting and developing new tech every day, the average consumer will soon have far fewer reasons not to adopt the change to electric and make way for a cleaner and guilt-free future of vehicle ownership.
