Weigh Pros and Cons of EV Ownership
Perhaps the most revolutionary thing to happen to the automotive industry in recent years is the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Known as EVs, electric vehicles have rapidly grown in popularity for a wide variety of reasons. Since making a new vehicle purchase is one of the largest buying decisions you can make, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons of electric cars.
To help you gain a better understanding of both the advantages and disadvantages of owning an EV, the Germain Motor Company has assembled this informative guide. You’ll have no trouble making an informed decision once you’re armed with all the information. Let’s begin!
Advantages of Owning an Electric Car
Without a doubt, there are a tremendous amount of compelling advantages that come from driving an electric vehicle. When you factor in some of the benefits listed below, both your head and heart can agree that making the switch to an EV makes complete sense.
EVs Are Better for the Environment
- First and foremost, electric vehicles are significantly better for the health of the environment. EVs produce zero emissions compared to a conventional combustion engine. Widespread adoption of electric cars can make a lasting positive impact on air quality.
Electricity Can Be a Renewable Resource
- Since electricity can be generated naturally using renewable sources like water, wind, or solar power — driving an EV can reduce our dependence on oil. For comparison, gasoline requires the use of oil and cannot be renewed. Electricity is also less expensive to generate than gas. EV owners often report that their total energy expense is a staggering one-third of the price of gas-powered vehicles.
EVs Require Less Maintenance
- Since electric powertrains no longer require the use of oil like a gasoline engine, you can say goodbye to oil changes for good! Other typical maintenance repairs associated with a gasoline engine are also a thing of the past. Better still, EVs are generally easier on brake components as well and require less maintenance and fewer replacements. In general, you can expect to spend less time and money on maintenance costs when you make the switch to an EV.
Smooth, Seamless Operation
- Due to their nature, electric powertrains run very quietly when using battery power. In fact, many states have mandated that electric cars must emit noise to alert passengers of their presence for safety. Behind the wheel, you can expect a truly serene ride that’s free of any of the typical chatter, rumble, or vibrations that come from an internal combustion engine. Many EVs offer greater performance capabilities combined with virtually instantaneous throttle response.
Tax Credits & HOV Lane Access
- The savings only continue to add up when you factor in potential tax credit availability. Depending on your individual situation and specific model, you could potentially qualify for tax credits at the state and/or federal level. Due to their efficiency, many areas allow access to HOV (high occupancy vehicle) carpool lanes. Even if you’re driving by yourself!
Disadvantages of Owning an Electric Car
Now that we’ve covered the lengthy list of benefits that come from driving an EV, it’s important to remember that electric vehicles do come with some drawbacks. Consider some of these potential deal-breakers that would make an EV difficult for you to live with.
Shorter Range than Gas-Powered Vehicles
- Although battery technology continues to grow at a rapid pace, total driving range still lags behind a conventional gas-powered vehicle. If your electric vehicle is low on charge, you might be forced to spend several hours or even a full day (depending on charge type) before you can hit the road again. Conversely, a few minutes filling your gas tank is all that’s required to regain hundreds of miles of driving range. If you’re often in situations that require extended drives without time to stop and charge your EV, it might make more sense to stick to a gas-powered vehicle for now.
Difficulty Finding a Charging Station
- No matter if you’re in a tiny town or a big city, there’s usually a gas station within a short distance if you need to stop for fuel. EV charging stations aren’t quite as easy to find, especially if you’re in a rural area or far from a major roadway. This means that taking a long road trip or exploring an unfamiliar area can require more planning and thought if you’re driving an electric car.
Typically More Expensive to Purchase
- In general, fully-electric models of individual vehicles are more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts. As technology continues to advance, these costs can be expected to eventually lower. For now, going electric means paying a premium compared to a conventional engine.
Fewer Model Choices
- Traditional gas-powered cars have been mass-produced for well over a century. On the other hand, EVs have only recently started to become mainstream. This means that there simply aren’t as many models to choose from as there are gas-powered. Depending on the type of vehicle that you’re looking for, you might have trouble finding an electric model that suits your needs.
The Germain Motor Company – Your Source for Your Next New Vehicle
Ready to come and experience all that electric vehicles have to offer? You’ll find the latest EV models from some of the most popular brands in the industry across our family of locations. You can compare them side-by-side against their conventional counterparts and make an informed decision.