So, you’re looking for a new vehicle, keep hearing about electric vehicles, and can’t decide if they’re right for you. No problem, we’ll keep it simple and explain who EVs are great for and who should avoid them (at least for now). Electric vehicles are great for the average driver in the average area, but not everyone fits into this category. Depending on what your needs are and where you live, an EV may not be right for you. Yes, you read that right – an EV website telling you that some people shouldn’t buy an EV! That’s because our goal is to inform, not mislead, so it’s only fair for us to explain some of the downsides of electric cars and trucks. So here we go with our five reasons to avoid electric cars and trucks.
Long Commutes
If you commute more than 300 miles or more per day (round trip), you may not want to get an EV. Depending on your vehicle, this would require charging during your work day – either on the road or at work. If your workplace has charging options, then it’s not an issue and you can probably still get by without any extra charging stops along your route. If you don’t have any charging options while at work your other option would be to stop at a public fast charger. You won’t have to charge for very long, but some people don’t want to stop at all. With a gas vehicle you can fill up in around five minutes or less and have several hundred miles of range – a Tesla would get only 75 miles in 5 minutes in ideal circumstances. It may not be an issue for most people, but for some people this is a real concern.
No Home Charging Options
One of the best parts of EV ownership is home charging. It enables you to wake up every day to a charged vehicle. It’s also generally the most economical option. For those with solar power it’s an even bigger benefit. But what about people without a home charging option? Rentals, apartments and condos, old infrastructure, budget – there are many reasons why some people can’t charge at home. If you don’t have this option you may want to reconsider getting an EV. It’s not a total no-go, but it’s worth doing some extra research. Does your workplace offer charging? Does your local area have good charging options? What are charging prices and availability like near you and along your common routes? Make sure to answer these questions before you make the switch. You don’t want to get stuck paying for a vehicle that doesn’t work well in your specific situation.
Long Distance Towing
EVs can handle towing well – plenty of torque at any speed, manufacturer hitch options, and enough range for many cases. The problem is that weight and drag will significantly affect range, especially if you’re at highway speeds. So while they can handle towing, they are better suited for lighter towing or towing for shorter distances. Sure, you can stop and charge, but if you tow often and are used to a pickup with a large fuel tank it may be frustrating. It’s not a big deal if you don’t frequently do long distance towing, but if you do, an EV may not be the right choice for your towing vehicle. If you don’t tow long distances often or don’t mind stopping to charge then you should be fine. Just make sure you really take a look at how far you can really get your trailer first.
Remote Area
With long ranges and growing charging networks, EVs are easy to charge along your route in most places. For some people though, there still aren’t many options – if any. Service centers may be limited too depending on manufacturer and location. If you live in an area that doesn’t have good options for charging and service you may want to wait until your options improve. Your vehicle needs to be reliable and without good charging and service options you may end up with regretting your purchase.
Limited Budget
Marketing always tries to convince us that we need the next new thing. The truth is that many times we really don’t need what we buy. If your budget is limited and you’re trying to stretch yourself to buy an EV, you may want to hold off. Many electric cars are simply not in the average person’s budget. Trying to twist numbers around to justify overspending will only hurt you later. Planning your finances responsibly is much more important than buying an electric car. If you have a reliable ICE car now it may even be more environmentally friendly to keep it longer too. You can always make the switch later when you really need a new car and when your budget allows for it. And as technology and pricing improves, your wait will only become more beneficial.
Summary
As you can see, electric cars just don’t work yet in some cases. While this is not typical, everyone has their own specific needs. So overall, electric cars are a great choice for most people, just not everyone. Make your own assesment based on your individual case, not what others tell you. Consider the five subjects listed above and how they apply to you. If you still think an EV will work for you, great! Go test drive an electric car and see why so many people are making the switch. Read our article on the benefits of electric vehicle ownership for more information about why you should consider an EV.