According to recent studies, electric cars are eventually going to become way cheaper than combustion engine cars. Some studies even suggest that before 2035, we are going to witness electric cars being way more accessible than hybrids or ICE cars.
This will vary between different types of electric cars. Smaller and cheaper EVs are likely going to cost the same as ICE cars before 2027, while bigger, more expensive EVs will soon follow. While this should be taken with a grain of salt, there are a couple of different organizations that support these claims.
Nowadays, an average mid-size electric car costs around $40k before taxes, while an average mid-sized petrol car costs around $22k before taxes. Many manufacturers around the world are trying to bridge the gap between ICE cars and EVs, and some of them are performing better than expected.
Cheap electric cars – Are they good enough?
There are a couple of relatively affordable EVs on the market right now such as the Mini Cooper SE, the Nissan Leaf, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, or the Chevy Bolt EV. All four of these cost between $30k and $38k, and you can get them even cheaper than that, especially if you buy used.
Although these cars are not the flagbearers of EV technology, they are decent enough to be recommended. The Chevy Bolt EV is not the best car on the market for $38k, but it is one of only a handful of EVs in that price category.
All of these offer between 110 and 260 miles of range, with the Mini being the worst, and the Bolt EV being the best. As far as many other in-car features are concerned, they are more or less comparable to their ICE counterparts.
If you want a more luxurious, but ‘’affordable’’ electric car, the best one to consider is the $41k Tesla Model 3. Even though the Tesla Model 3 offers amazing features at such a price tag, the Model 3 is not as well constructed as some other $40k cars.
Expensive electric cars – Are they worth the money?
On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are many ‘’luxury’’ EVs on the market right now. Cars like the $81k Tesla Model S or the similarly priced Porsche Taycan are the true flagbearers of luxury EVs. These cars are the most desirable EVs on the market, and it’s fairly easy to see why.
Besides these two, $75k the Audi e-Tron GT and the newly released $100k Mercedes EQS are also becoming more and more desirable. These cars are made to offer the highest standards of luxury, performance, and technology, and as such, they are most definitely worth it.
The Mercedes, the Audi, and the Porsche are all way above Tesla when it comes to quality, design, and finish, but Tesla offers its extremely convenient charging network and superior autonomous driving technologies.
Performance-wise the Tesla Model S Plaid is the second fastest accelerating car in the world, only trailing behind the ludicrous $2m+ Rimac Nevera hypercar. It is safe to say that these cars are amazing, but they should be considering the price.
Electric cars in 2021
Even though electric cars still cost more compared to ICE cars, it is not a bad idea to invest in one if you can fully utilize the EV platform. Some car brands such as Tesla are leading the pack in electric car ownership convenience, but many others are soon to follow.
With each and every new day, a new electric car is being presented, and it is safe to say that we are living in exciting times when it comes to electric cars. Even though they are constantly improving, if you can’t completely utilize them, you should skip EVs for now.
As time goes on, it will be easier to source out a decent EV, so if you are not in a rush, there is no need to jump the gun. However, if you want to be at the pinnacle of transportation technology, go ahead and buy yourself a luxury performance EV.
It’s hard to decide which EV is the best one on the market, but the Tesla Model 3 is probably the best relatively affordable electric car, while the Audi E-Tron GT and the Porsche Taycan are the best sub $100k electric cars.
FAQ Section
Are electric cars cheaper to maintain?
Currently, electric cars are indeed cheaper to maintain because they offer fewer moving parts. They also don’t use not nearly as many liquids, so there is no need to pay for an oil change every once in a while. EV warranties usually cover batteries for up to 100k miles or 8-12 years, both of which are enough for stress-free EV ownership.
However, batteries do cost money, and nowadays, you are expected to pay an average of $5500 for a brand-new battery.
What are the disadvantages of electric cars?
Electric cars struggle to offer range estimates which are comparable to regular ICE cars, as such, EVs tend to be worse when it comes to long-distance travelling. Recharging an EV battery takes way more compared to just filling up your tank with gasoline.
Even if you do accept that you will be spending a lot of time at the charging stations, who knows if you are even going to be able to locate one that is available. Besides troublesome charging shenanigans, EVs cost more money, and there are still not all that many EVs on the market, especially if you want a more affordable one.
What are the benefits of electric cars?
Electric cars are better for our environment because electricity is a renewable source while gasoline is theoretically not. Even though EVs cost more money, they require fewer maintenance expenses and there are loads of government incentives out there for potential new EV owners.
They are quiet and more relaxing to drive because they offer superior autonomous driving capabilities. Furthermore, some places around the world even offer special highways lanes or special parking spots for electric cars only. Furthermore, charging a car up costs pennies compared to fueling a car up with gasoline.