Are Electric Cars the Future?

Even though we have little idea and there is a very long way to go, it is, nonetheless, tempting to think not too far into the future we will all be driving electric cars. The automotive industry must feel the same way since apparently there is $90 billion that has already been invested in electric cars.

In the UK, the government has banned the sale of diesel and petrol cars by 2040 but there is a push to bring the time forward to 2030. In Norway, almost 30% of the cars sold yearly are petrol free. So, it is pretty obvious that a change is coming.

When it comes to meeting the climate targets, eco-friendly electric cars are an important part of the puzzle. In many countries, transport emissions contribute largely to the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

We spoke to the team behind bigmotoringworld.co.uk to give us a rundown of the benefits of electric cars. These benefits are not only environmental. People can save chunks of money every year simply by switching to electric cars. For example, in the UK as of 2018, it costs merely £2-3 to fill (charge) an electric car whereas it would be around £30 to fill a patrol car.

Now let’s look at the reasons why electric cars could be the future:

Green Vehicles

Not everyone knows that electric cars can use unto 80% clean energy compared to petrol and diesel cars. Because electric cars don’t produce exhaust gas, they have the additional advantage over diesel and petrol cars of helping improve local air quality.

There is also a trend towards adopting eco-friendly production and materials for electric vehicles. For example, Nissan Leaf and Ford Focus Electric have many interior parts made entirely out of recycled bottles, old car parts and used home appliances.

Cheaper Batteries

Researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute have found that consumers can save up to $600 a year by switching to electric cars since it costs an average of $1117 to run a gasoline powered vehicle. The cost of batteries has come down significantly to $220 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) whereas it used to be more than a thousand dollars.

The good news is the cost is expected to go down even lower since India and China have massive plans to build infrastructures to facilitate the production of batteries. Moreover, many countries have introduced toll discounts to electric vehicles. Private car owners can save up to 500 euros and commercial owners up to 1000 euros with toll charges in a year.

Good Looking Cars

There are so many good-looking cars in the market already. Some examples include Tesla Model X, Audi e-tron Quattro SUV, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Aston Martin Rapide E, Porsche Taycan, Faraday Future FF-91 and so on. Cars like these are not only cheap to run but also fast to drive.

Cheaper Maintenance

People seem to be unaware of the fact that electric cars are less expensive to maintain. An electric car has less moving parts compared to petrol and diesel cars. They don’t have expensive exhaust systems, fuel injection systems, starter motors, radiators and many other parts.

The only expense that a consumer should worry about is the battery replacement cost since batteries do wear out over time. However, most manufacturers would provide 5 to 8-year warranty for an extra cost which is justifiable.

Improved Safety

Electric vehicles, such as Tesla, have a very high safety rating. Moreover, these vehicles have different safety features that petrol and diesel cars lack. Electric cars are less likely to roll over since they have a lower center of gravity. There is a lower risk of major fires or explosion with electric vehicles, and the durability of these cars make them safer in collisions.

Easy Home Charging

Going to service stations during busy hours can be time consuming for people who are on the way to work. Electric vehicles come with charge kits that can be plugged in at your home. Charging the car overnight makes it ready for at least 600 kilometers. There is no need to hold the fuel nozzle for over 10 minutes to fill your car.

All it takes is 10 seconds to plug the car in and you can just walk away. Moreover, in many countries there are government rebates and grants of up to $800 towards the installation.

However, there are a few downsides associated with electric cars. Many people are concerned about the range a fully charged car will provide. This problem is going to disappear when manufacturers start mass production and install chargers in more places.

Maybe in the near future service stations will install electric charge stations too. Another issue is the longevity of batteries which can prove costly. But with technological advancements in the battery production, the cost will surely go down.

Electric cars no longer just a hobby project of Silicon Valley. It is becoming mainstream and it is here to stay.