Happy Earth Day — Here’s Why You Should Still Consider An Electric Car When Gas Is Cheap

Though today’s electric cars are filled to the proverbial brim with technology, the basic concept dates back to the earliest days of motoring. There are currently 14 fully electrified models on the market for 2020, with prices starting at around $31,000, less a one-time $7,500 federal tax credit (Except Tesla and GM EVs) and any available state incentives. There’s far more offerings headed to market for 2021 and beyond, including some intriguing battery-powered pickup trucks that promise uncanny acceleration and towing abilities.

But relatively few people have still yet to so much ride in an electric vehicle, let alone own one. The Tesla Model 3 is the most popular EV on the market, and it outsold all the other electric cars on the market combined. At that, Tesla delivered nearly 160,000 Model 3s to market, which pales in comparison to the most popular conventionally fueled rides. What’s more, some EVs are only sold in California and a relative handful of other states that adhere to its stricter emissions regulations.

At any rate, ready or not we’re facing an electrified future. Here’s the key elements that make electric cars different from anything else you may have driven:

• They Run Silently.

Unlike a conventional vehicle’s internal combustion engine and exhaust system that announces a burst of speed with a roar, an electric motor operates virtually silently. When you press the start button, you’ll hear nothing. At first, you may doubt that the car is “on.” The most noticeable things you’ll notice as you drive will be tire and wind noise, and the engine/exhaust sounds of other vehicles. (A notable exception is the Jaguar i-Pace pipes in an artificial whooshing sound with acceleration and deceleration.) Because they operate so quietly, Congress is mandating that automakers add identifying sounds to their electric cars when operating at speeds up to 19 miles per hour to help alert pedestrians – especially those having vision problems – to their presence on city streets.

• They’re Faster Than You Might Think.

The notion that an electric car is as quick as a golf cart is a myth. Unlike a gasoline engine, an electric motor puts 100 percent of its available power to the pavement instantly and continuously. That makes even a modestly powered EV like the Nissan Leaf feel much quicker off the line than a similar gas-powered car. The sportiest models deliver neck-snapping acceleration. The top version of the new-for-2020 Porsche Taycan can reach 60 mph from a standing start in just 2.6 seconds. Tesla says its upcoming Roadster will do it in a sudden 1.9 ticks. What’s more, since most electric cars use a single-speed transmission the vehicle gets up to speed smoothly, with no sensation of gearshifting.

• They Brake Differently.

As is the case with hybrid-powered models, electric cars leverage something called regenerative braking (“regen” for short) to help recover energy that would otherwise be lost through deceleration and braking. The system sends this power back to the battery pack to help maintain a charge. It feels like there’s a drag being placed on the car when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal. It’s more pronounced in some electric cars than others, with some enabling what’s known as “one pedal” driving that will all but bring the car to a complete stop without actually having to use the brake pedal.

• You May Be Surprised How Well They Handle.

Most EVs mount their heavy battery packs beneath the passenger compartment, which creates a lower center of gravity than a comparable conventional auto. This, in turn, affords quick cornering abilities and helps make even the most conservatively engineered models fun to drive.

• They’re Cheaper To Own.

Even with gas currently being lower than we’ve seen in some time, it still costs less to run a vehicle on electricity than fossil fuel. For example, the EPA’s fuel cost calculator at fueleconomy.com says a Chevrolet Bolt EV that gets the equivalent of 118 mpg will cost an owner $400 a year to drive 11,600 combined city/highway miles per year at average electricity rates ($0.12/kWh). A same size Chevy Sonic that gets a combined 29 mpg will cost $700 a year to cover the same ground at current fuel prices ($1.80 a gallon for regular unleaded, according to the AAA). Plus, by charging at home you’ll avoid making impulse purchases on beverages, snacks, and lottery tickets at a gas station.

Sources suggest maintaining an electric car costs about one third of what it does with a conventionally powered model. That’s because electric cars eschew over two-dozen common automotive components that would normally require service or replacing. An EV owner avoids having to take the car in for periodic oil changes, cooling system flushes, transmission servicing, and replacing the air filter, spark plugs and drive belts. Regular service visits merely consist of a mechanical inspection, and rotating the tires, replacing the cabin air filter and wiper blades, and topping off the washer fluid.

• You’ll Be Doing Your Part For The Environment.

That’s because a battery-powered vehicle produces zero tailpipe emissions. There’s little doubt that having more electric cars on the road in congested urban areas can improve local air quality. Unfortunately, the net environmental effect of running an EV depends to a certain degree on how the electricity used to power it is generated. An electric car’s negative impact tends to be much greater in areas where the power comes from burning fossil fuels than it is with nuclear, wind, and solar sources. At that, the Union of Concerned Scientists concluded that electric cars are generally responsible for less bottom-line pollution than conventional vehicles in every U.S. state.

• You’ll Be Keeping A Watchful Eye On The State-Of-Charge Indicator.

Nine out of the current EVs sold in the U.S. for 2020 are rated to run for more than 200 miles on a charge, with the rest of the pack in the 100-mile range. Most current EVs are sufficient to satisfy most daily commutes, though taking extended road trips requires planning one’s routes based on where public chargers are located (see below). Even if you own a Tesla Model S that can afford better than 300 miles on a charge, it’s certain you’ll be paying close attention to the vehicle’s state-of-charge indicator as you drive. This tells the driver approximately what percentage of the battery capacity remains and about how many miles this translates into.

• You’ll Want To Pay Attention To Driving Habits And Conditions.

Generally speaking, an EV goes through its battery capacity more quickly under certain circumstances, You’ll use more battery power at higher speeds when it takes more energy to run the electric motor. Likewise, you’ll burn more kilowatts if you take advantage of an electric car’s instant torque via lead-footed acceleration. Using accessories, especially the climate control, will drain an electric car’s battery quicker. You’ll also deplete the battery quicker when driving in extreme temperatures. One study found that when the thermometer hits 90°F, an electric car loses an average 17 percent of its range with the air conditioning in use. When the temperature drops to 20°F and the vehicle’s heater is on, an average EV’s range will be 41 percent shorter than when the mercury is at 70°F.

• You’ll Probably Upgrade Your Garage’s Electrical System.

All EVs can recharge on 110-volt house current–known as Level 1 charging–but this is an agonizingly slow process that could take as long as 24 hours, depending on the model. You’ll want to spend a few hundred dollars to have an electrician install a 240-volt line and perhaps a wall-mounted charger to take advantage of quicker “Level 2” charging times, which are usually half the time of Level 1. As a bonus, your local utility company may offer a discount for electricity during off-peak hours.

• You’ll Quickly Learn Where Public Charging Stations Are Located.

Apps and websites can help you find a public charger in the even you could be running low on kilowatts. Level 2 remains the most prevalent type of pubic charging, and you’ll find chargers installed in retail parking lots, public parking garages, and new-car dealerships across America, as well as at many national parks. At that they’re most worthwhile for “topping off” an EV’s battery while shopping, dining, or running errands. A better choice is to note where “Level 3” DC Fast Charging stations have been installed near where you shop and work that can bring a given electric car’s battery up to 80% of its capacity in around 30-60 minutes. Tesla Motors maintains its own Supercharger network of fast-charging stations across the U.S., though their use is limited to Tesla vehicles.

Speak Your Mind

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Get in Touch

350FansLike
100FollowersFollow
281FollowersFollow
150FollowersFollow

Recommend for You

Oh hi there 👋
It’s nice to meet you.

Subscribe and receive our weekly newsletter packed with awesome articles that really matters to you!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

You might also like

As Electric Cars Reach Europe’s Mainstream, Expect Some Inconvenient...

Kia Soul EV car at the 2020 Canadian auto...

The 7 deadly sins of startups – TechCrunch

Caryn Marooney Contributor Caryn Marooney is general partner at Coatue Management and sits on...

Biocon executive chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw tests positive for Covid-19...

BENGALURU: Executive chairperson of Bengaluru-headquartered Biocon Ltd Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said on Monday night that...

Jeff Barnaby’s Zombie Thriller ‘Blood Quantum Is The Perfect...

Blood Quantum Poster cr: Elevation Pictures ...