Unlike a hybrid car—which is fueled by gasoline and uses a battery and motor to improve efficiency—an electric car is powered exclusively by electricity.
What Is an electric Car?
Electric motors can provide high power-to-weight ratios, batteries can be designed to supply the currents needed to support these motors. Electric motors have flat torque curve down to zero speed. For simplicity and reliability, many electric cars use fixed-ratio gearboxes and have no clutch.
Many electric cars have higher acceleration than average internal combustion cars, largely due to reduced drivetrain frictional losses, and the more quickly available torque of an electric motor. However Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) may have a low acceleration due to their relatively weak motors.
Electric vehicles can also use a direct motor-to-wheel configuration that increases the available power. Having motors connected directly to each wheel simplifies using the motor for both propulsion and braking, increasing traction . Electric vehicles that lack an axel, differential, or transmission can have less drive-train inertia.
Good things about Electic Cars:-
There are a number of good things to electric vehicles (EVs) over conventional petrol/diesel cars.
Cheaper to run:-
Owners of an EV have the advantage of much lower running costs. The electricity to charge an EV works out around a third as much per kilometre as buying petrol for the same vehicle.
There are a number of handy calculators you can use to see the savings. Check out the Fuel Cost Saving Calculater on the My Electric Car website.
Cheaper to maintain:-
A battery electric vehicle (BEV) has a lot less moving parts than a conventional petrol/diesel car. There is relatively little servicing and no expensive exhaust systems, starter motors, fuel injection systems, radiators and many other parts that aren’t needed in an EV.Batteries do wear out so replacement batteries will eventually be needed. Most car manufacturers warrant EV batteries for around 8 years.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) have a petrol engine that needs regular servicing so cost more to maintain. However, because the electrical motor requires little maintenance due to far fewer moving parts, this leads to less wear and tear of the petrol engine components.
Other savings:-
Some Australian states offer other savings for EV owners. EVs registered in the ACT are exempt from stamp-duty. EVs registered in Victoria receive a $100 reduction in registration fees each year.
Better for the environment:-
Less pollution: By choosing to drive an EV you are helping to reduce harmful air pollution from exhaust emissions. An EV has zero exhaust emissions.
Renewable energy: If you use renewable energy to recharge your EV, you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions even further. You could recharge your EV from your solar PV system during the day instead of from the grid. Another idea is to purchase Green Power from your electricity retailer. Then, even if you recharge your EV from the grid, your greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
Eco-friendly materials: There is also a trend towards more eco-friendly production and materials for EVs. The Ford Focus Electric is made up of recycled materials and the padding is made out of bio based materials. The Nissan Leaf’s interior and bodywork are partly made out of green materials such as recycled water bottles, plastic bags, old car parts and even second hand home appliances.
Health benefits:-
Reduced harmful exhaust emissions is good news for our health. Better air quality will lead to less health problems and costs caused by air pollution. EVs are also quieter than petrol/diesel vehicles, which means less noise pollution.
Safety improvements:-
Recent findings have shown that several EV features can improve safety. EVs tend to have a lower centre of gravity that makes them less likely to roll over. They can also have a lower risk for major fires or explosions and the body construction and durability of EVs may make them safer in a collision.
Our energy security:-
On a national level, EVs can help with Australia’s energy security. At present, Australia is highly dependent on other countries for petroleum imports. EVs are easy to power from local and renewable energy sources, reducing our dependence on foreign oil. There are also better employment benefits for Australians through the use of locally produced electricity
Bad things about Electic Cars:-
As you can see, there are tons of reasons to consider purchasing an electric vehicle. However, it’s important to be aware that there are also drawbacks to choosing an electric car. Make sure you read about and understand the cons before you choose to sign a contract and get insurance for your new car. Here are some things to know before you choose an electric car.
Some EVs Have Short Ranges for Driving:-
The range you can get with an electric vehicle is something that is constantly improving, but it is still something that needs to be considered and may not be appropriate for those with longer commutes. It’s also one of the major issues that consumers have to think about when deciding between a conventional and electric car. Once your car is fully charged, many electric models can drive only 60 to 100 miles. However, some models offer somewhere between 200 and 300 miles after a full charge.
Charging Can Take a Lot of Time:-
When you pull into a gas station and fill up the tank, it takes only a few minutes before you pay and drive off on your next adventure. An electric vehicle takes much longer to recharge, and the time investment and necessary planning does put some people off. Many electric cars can be full in around four hours, but some can take nearly a day to fully recharge. The good news is that there are some kits that can cut the charging time down. However, that is going to be an additional investment so consider that, too.
The Initial Investment is Steep:-
If you haven’t spent any time shopping for EVs, you may be surprised when you take a look at the sticker price. There is a range of pricing for electric cars, but even the more affordable brands can be around $30,000 to $40,000. If you’re looking for a luxury option, you may be paying $80,000 or even more. Technology is always advancing and the price to produce electric cars continues to drop, but you may end up paying $10,000 to $50,000 more for an EV than for a gas-powered car.
Charging Stations Aren’t Available Everywhere:-
If you happen to live in a large city where many people use electric vehicles, you may find that there are charging stations all over the place. However, when you take off on a road trip or decide to visit family in a rural or suburban area, it may be harder to find a charging station. Thankfully, this problem is slowly being phased out as electric cars become more popular. However, it’s still worth considering until charging stations are more widespread. Be sure to take a look at charging station maps where you live and where you frequently go so you can make sure that you’ll be able to charge your new EV when you need to.
Lower Amount of Choices:-
The market today has way more electric cars than it ever has before, with no signs of slowing down. However, the truth of the matter is that there are fewer ways to customize and choose the aesthetics of your EV. This is especially true when you consider the huge amount of customization available with traditional cars. This is likely to change as time goes on but for many people, it is going to be a disadvantage.
Wrapping Up:-
There are many factors to take into account when choosing whether to purchase an electric vehicle. However, it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming decision. Consider your needs, the availability of charging stations near you, and do some research on the different models and makes of electric cars out there today. This will push you toward making the right decision for yourself and your family.
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