For some, comparing electric cars and gas cars is like comparing apples to oranges. But for others, the comparison comes naturally because EVs do present somewhat of a next step in the automotive industry. We are only at the beginning of the EV era, and there are lots of different benefits to an EV.
ICE (Internal combustion engine) cars are becoming more and more soulless thanks to the ever more restrictive emissions and noise regulations. And in a few decades, we might even think that ICE cars are remnants of the past, a long-gone stepstone towards a cleaner future.
As the EV infrastructure continues to improve, and the prices of EVs start coming down, the true transition will happen. But even now, if you want to be the beacon of the future, buying an EV still already offers you a bunch of benefits.
Affordability of EVs
As of right now, there aren’t as many EV options out there, but EVs are slowly becoming less and less expensive to buy, maintain and repair. EVs also qualify you for lots of government tax cuts and grants, and they are also simpler in construction which means that they are easy to and cheap to repair.
EVs don’t offer many moving parts, and the moving parts are the first thing to wear and tear on an ICE car. Furthermore, EVs don’t require any oil changes, no smog tests, and the longevity of an EV is most likely going to surpass an ICE car.
The environmental aspect
Probably the main motivator for the EV industry is the ‘’lack’’ of harmful consequences for the environment. EV production is not carbon neutral, and that’s a fact. But, EV production is slowly moving towards a more carbon-neutral, more environmentally friendly future.
EVs are a promising start for globally addressing climate change. The tailpipe emissions are not existent and there are no dirty fuels that pollute the environment. It’s also worth mentioning that some cities require you to pay a city center congestion charge, and an EV is not required to pay such charges.
Comfort
Hardly anyone can say that a Rolls Royce, a Bentley, or even a Mercedes S-Class is not comfortable and quiet. Brands like Rolls Royce spend a vast amount of R&D on making active engine mounts and loads of other means of negating the engine’s vibration and noise pollutions.
An EV has no engine sound, which means that theoretically there is no need for such additional costs in the EV industry. EVs also offer loads of torque at any moment, which also works favorably for a comfortable driving experience.
Performance
Performance is probably one of the biggest differentiating factors between electric and internal combustion engine cars. Electric engines produce 100% of power whenever, wherever. While an ICE on the other hand has to reach a certain RPM range before it can produce peak power.
This means that an electric car will give you 100% of power at any moment, and an ICE car will give you peak power at a certain RPM range. All of this means that an EV is always going to be more responsive and faster to accelerate, and an ICE simply can’t match that.
EV privilege
‘’EV Privilege’’ is a new term made to describe all of the benefits you get as an EV owner compared to an ICE daily. Free public charging, specially allocated EV parking spaces, EV specific lanes, all of these aspects are slowly becoming one of the greatest motivating factors to consider an EV as your next car.
EVs are also exempt from lots of different in-city charges such as the aforementioned congestion chargers, and they can also drive through some city centers, while ICE cars simply can’t due to pollution regulations.
Low maintenance
EVs have fewer moving parts compared to an ICE car. This only means that the wear and tear of such parts are not as frequent nor intense. EVs don’t need oil changes, no transmission checkups nor trans oil fill-ups, and thanks to regenerative engine braking, EV brakes also last a lot longer.
The main concern of an EV is the battery as the battery can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but they are usually under warranty for 8-10 years/100k miles, so while they are new, EVs are cheaper to run, considerably so.
Government grants and tax cuts
Also, one of the greatest motivators to consider an EV are the government grants and tax cuts if you opt for buying a new EV. Some countries might subsidize 10, 20, 30, or even 50% of the price, which is a huge reason to consider an EV.
Besides such government grants, some countries also offer discounted registration and insurance policies, or they make you eligible for all sorts of tax returns. You should inform yourself about what your country may give you if you opt for an EV.
FAQ Section
Are EVs easier to live with?
Not really. EV infrastructure is not advanced enough for most of the planet and it only makes sense to own an EV if you can charge it at home without any issues. EVs suffer from range anxiety and long ‘’fill-ups’’, and this is especially so if you consider an EV for longer journeys.
There are loads of question marks when it comes to spare parts and resale value, as the batteries are complicated and expensive to replace. It’s probably better to wait a few years to buy an EV if you only own a single car.
Are EVs better than hybrids?
As of right now, hybrids do seem like the best option if you travel long distances, but you still want an environmentally friendly transportation device. Hybrids are the perfect middle ground before the EV transition starts taking place on a larger scale.
Hybrids also have to be charged up regularly if you want to take advantage of all the affordability and efficiency advantages. Hybrids are slowly starting to encompass most of the car industry, and now is the perfect time to consider one.
Are fossil fuel-powered cars near the end?
As of right now, ICE cars are nowhere near the end. EV infrastructure is not ready, and the ease of use is still not comparable. ICE cars take 5 minutes to refuel and give you hundreds upon hundreds of miles of range in an instant.
Spare parts are readily available, and the wear and tear aspect of an ICE car is well documented. Lots of manufacturers are expecting that in the next decade or two, ICE cars will cease production, but this is still rather ambitious and hard to accomplish.
