Electric cars present the biggest shift in the automotive industry since the inception of the engine. Virtually all reputable brands are neck-deep into developing countless electric car models that already have, and are going to see the light of day really soon.
Understanding what electric cars represent to the average consumer requires us to educate ourselves about the origins and the essentials of EVs. Therefore, we are going to list some of the most important and most interesting statistics and facts about electric cars which will help you understand where electric cars come from, why they exist, and what it all means.
Tesla is the brand that earns the most rep for being the pioneer in this segment, but the first electric car was invented hundreds of years ago. Tesla did initiate an industry-wide shift toward electric cars and they are still the largest automaker in the electric car business.
The EV market is growing rapidly and dozens upon dozens of new electric cars are being released every year. Electric cars tend to be more expensive when compared to combustion engine cars, but the prices are slowly decreasing and we are already able to buy “cheap” electric cars.
Tesla
Back in 2008, Tesla came out with the Tesla Roadster, a limited 2-seater electric car which more or less started it all for Tesla. However, the first true EV made by Tesla is the 2012 Tesla Model S sedan. The Model X came in 2015 while the Model 3 was unveiled in 2016. The Model 3 is the most popular model and more than a million of these have been sold already.
Tesla also initiated the shift towards autonomous driving technologies which have now become synonymous with high-end electric cars. Either way, Tesla is a pioneer of the modern-day EV, but other brands are starting to catch up.
The Chinese EV industry
Even though Tesla still rules the market, many Chinese EV brands like Nio, xPeng, and Li are making a lot of noise recently. Nio already took the crown from Tesla as far as the Chinese market is concerned, but many analysts believe that Chinese EV companies will also flood the European markets soon.
As such, China is the world’s single largest exporter of EVs and has the most saturated and most competitive electric car industry. China has more than 3.5 million EVs which makes about 40% of all EVs out there.
Electric car sales
Everyone is aware that electric cars are becoming more and more popular, but not all that many people are aware that electric car sales soared 160% in 2021. EV sales between 2019 and 2020 also went up by almost 90% and we are already seeing a significant jump in EV sales even in almost mid-2022.
If this trend continues, electric cars will saturate the market in no time, especially due to ever-increasing fuel prices. The most EV-friendly market is Norway because 54% of all new cars sold in 2020 are solely powered by batteries.
The electric car essentials
An electric car comprises an electric motor, a large high-voltage battery, regenerative braking motors, and a sophisticated set of wires that power the car’s wheels. An EV replenishes its battery by charging it either through classic AC or fast-charging DC. Recharging an average EV through a slow charger takes about 8 hours while fast-charging takes about 40 minutes.
The average EV range is about 195 miles while the most efficient and longest-lasting EVs can cross the 400-mile mark on a single charge. EVs can offer 100% of the power from a standstill as opposed to a combustion engine car that needs to spoil up before it can offer 100%. That is why EVs are faster from 0-60mph than comparable ICE cars.
Electric car maintenance
Electric cars do not come with a transmission, a fuel tank, a fuel pump, or a catalytic converter nor do they need oil changes or transmission fluid changes. This means that EVs are simpler in construction which inevitably leads to a more reliable platform and a platform that is a lot cheaper to maintain.
EVs come with fewer moving parts, maintaining those parts is easier, and they lost a long time. However, sourcing those parts is difficult, finding people who know how to work on EVs is difficult, and we don’t really know how will EVs fare when they become older.
FAQ Section
Should I buy an electric car?
Buying an electric car makes sense if you are able and willing to fully utilize the EV platform. The best course of action would be to install a home-mounted wall charger and plug the car up whenever necessary to maintain the battery percentage at around 80%.
If you are someone who simply can’t be bothered with plugging the car up and maintaining a decent level of charge, you should skip buying an EV for now. You can opt for a plug-in hybrid because a PHEV represents the stepping stone between a full-on EV and a traditional combustion engine car.
What is the best electric car on the market?
Choosing a single best EV on the market is incredibly difficult, but we are able to narrow the pick depending on a specific category. The best-buy EV at the moment is likely the Tesla Model 3 as it is the most convenient EV on the market. The best luxury EV is the Mercedes EQS because nothing can match it in the luxury department.
The best electric sports car/supercar is the Rimac Nevera because it manages an 8.6 second 0-60mph time. The best electric SUV is likely the new BMW IX because it offers the highest range, highest levels of luxury, and lots of space. Finally, the best EV car value is the Nissan Leaf because it can be had for less than $30,000.
Are electric cars going to replace gasoline cars?
Completely replacing gasoline cars is a really difficult task because some parts of the world are more able to do it than others. EVs are still a bit too expensive because an entry-level EV costs as much as an entry-level luxury car. Combustion engine cars are more convenient and dependable for a variety of usage scenarios.
All in all, EVs are going to continue becoming more and more popular, but are not able to threaten the existence of the combustion engine, at least not in the foreseeable future.