The use of electric cars (EV’s) has become increasingly popular over the last years. While the technology behind electric cars used to be associated with high cost, limited range, performance issues, and long charging time – this is now starting to shift, thanks to improved technology and batteries.
And it’s not only the Government that voices the need for electric cars. Automotive giants such as Volvo have expressed a commitment to convert to the production of electric cars only shortly. Even more high-end brands like Tesla are offering more affordable options, altering EVs’ perception as an elite product.
While local governments are eager to ban fossil-fueled vehicles’ production from reducing greenhouse emissions, there are also many benefits for the consumers.
Here’s why:
1. Cheaper than gas vehicles
The annual cost of an EV is less than the traditional gas vehicle. Already the cost of electric cars has become pretty affordable, and as the prices continue to drop to the level of gas cars, there’s really no reason you shouldn’t choose an electric car.
Not to mention, running and maintaining an electric car costs significantly less than gas vehicles. You can cut all gas expenses, there’s no need for an oil change, no smog tests, and there’s hardly any repair needs. Many electric car owners go years without ever needing repair or car services.
2. Electric cars give us cleaner air
Electric cars have zero tailpipe emissions, which means cleaner air. Of course, this requires a fair amount of EV’s on the road instead of gas-powered vehicles. Luckily for us, this is the direction we’re headed. Cleaner air means less disease in the world and better public health. And best of all, fewer greenhouse emissions will save the ozone layer and reduce our carbon footprint.
3. Electric cars require low maintenance
Low maintenance will help you save tons of money on your car. With 10-times fewer moving parts than a gas car, there are fewer things in jeopardy of breaking or in need of service. There is no engine, transmission, spark plug, fuel tank, tailpipe, clutch, or muffler. You will still need to maintain the breaks, but they will last much longer than the breaks of a gas-powered vehicle. Eventually, you will also have to change the battery, but most models today come with an 8-year/100K mile warranty. If the climate is mild, the battery will last even longer, often up to 15 years.
4. The range performance is increasing
New EV models are making huge gains in range performance. This is partially due to the advancements in battery technology and the electric regenerative systems in vehicle braking. For example, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is the first mass-produced, affordable electric car with an all-electric range of more than 200 miles. Considering the average commute is around 12 miles, this gives the driver more than enough everyday range.
5. Get financial incentives
Numerous states and local governments are offering some form of incentive when you buy an electric car. Such incentives may include tax exemptions and tax credits and additional perks that range from access to bus lines to waivers on fees such as charging, parking, and tolls. What amount of incentives you are given usually depends on the battery size and the vehicle all electrical-range. Some countries also extend the benefits to fuel cell vehicles, electric vehicle conversions of hybrid electric vehicles, and conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Can electric cars replace gas-powered vehicles?
Norway has one of the highest numbers of electric cars per capita in the world. The government’s initial goal of 50,000 electric cars on Norwegian roads was reached in 2015, more than 2 years earlier than expected. Now the government wants to take it one step further and ban the sale of all fossil fuel-based cars by 2025 – continuing the trend of becoming one of the most ecologically progressive countries on the planet. Other countries like China, India, France, and Britain plan to reach this goal by 2040.
Reports also say that Norway will become the first country in the world to commit to zero deforestation. The northern country also has a great dedication towards developing renewable resources, which has made energy suppliers able to provide renewable energy at the same prices as coal. Agva Kraft is one of the leading suppliers of renewable energy in Norway and also has a great focus on sustainable solutions in general.
The car industry is definitely undergoing a radical change. But whether EV’s will fully replace the gas-powered ones is yet to be discovered.
