Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular every day, and for good reason. There are many benefits of owning an electric vehicle compared to a gas or diesel vehicle. Some of these benefits include lower emissions, lower operating costs, and tax incentives. EVs have become more practical and affordable than ever. For most people, electric vehicles are a better option than a gas or diesel vehicle. EVs are fun to drive and feature lots of innovative and useful technologies. If you’re considering an EV we recommend doing your research and then taking a test drive – you may never buy an ICE vehicle again!
Emissions and Environmental Impact
Electric vehicles produce zero direct emissions, which is great for the environment. Power sources for EVs are significantly cleaner than internal combustion engines. Gas and diesel vehicles produce harmful emissions that pollute the air and contribute to climate change. Electric vehicles also help reduce our dependence on oil, which is a finite resource. Oil is drilled and burned in an endless cycle of pollution. Lithium is mined and used for many years before being recycled and used again. No vehicle is completely pollution free, but EVs reduce environmental impact when compared to ICE vehicles. To learn more, read our article about the environmental impact of EVs compared to ICE vehicles.
Costs
The cost to own and operate an electric car are significantly lower than an ICE car. There are many several factors involved including charging, maintenance, and incentives. If you want to lower the cost of driving, an EV may be a great option for you.
Charging
Electric vehicles are cheaper to operate than gas or diesel vehicles. The cost of charging an electric vehicle is typically much lower than the cost of buying gasoline or diesel fuel. This is especially true if you primarily charge at home like most EV owners do. On average an EV driver will save over $1000 per year on fuel costs alone. The more you drive, the more you will save compared to an ICE vehicle. Want to calculate your annual estimated fuel and maintenance savings? Try out our EV savings calculator!
Maintenance
Electric vehicles also require less maintenance than gas or diesel vehicles, which saves you money in the long run. Some maintenance items you can save on include – no oil changes, no spark plugs, no transmission fluid, no exhaust system to maintain, no belts, brake pads last several times as long as with ICE vehicles. You may question why we didn’t mention the cost to maintain the main battery in an EV. That’s because the minimum warranty in the US for EV batteries is 8 years/100,000 miles – and many companies have longer warranties than this minimum requires. You can expect a battery to last even longer than that too based on the experience of most long-term EV owners. So for most owners battery replacement won’t be something they will deal with. By the time you have to replace a battery you will have saved a lot of money compared to an ICE vehicle, even with a new battery factored in.
Incentives
Speaking of savings, there are federal and state tax incentives for electric vehicle ownership. These tax incentives can save you a lot of money on the cost of owning an electric vehicle. Some states also don’t charge sales tax on EVs which adds up to a huge savings by itself. Other benefits depending on which state you’re in may include HOV lane access (even without a passenger), reduced registration fees, no inspection requirements, and more.
Practicality
If you’re wondering whether an electric car is right for you, then there are a few factors to consider. EVs are great for most people, but not everyone (yet). So what are the factors you may want to consider?
Range
If you commute over 300 miles per day an EV could still work for you, but you may need to recharge at work or at a charging station. This is why it’s important in some cases to consider maximum range.
Towing
Another consideration is towing. While EVs have great towing capacity in many cases, the range while towing will drop significantly due to the added weight and reduced aerodynamics. So if you frequently tow heavy trailers for long distances, EVs may not be the right choice as your towing vehicle.
Charging
The next issue to consider would be your charging options. Home charging is the most convenient and affordable option, which is why most EV owners do most of their charging at home. Charging at work often means free charging, so that’s another great option when available. And of course you may want to consider fast charging stations near you and near/on the way to your frequent destinations. Just remember that most electric vehicle owners generally won’t be using public charging stations often unless other options are not available.
Summary
Overall, electric vehicles offer many benefits compared to gas and diesel vehicles. They are cheaper to operate, produce zero emissions, and help reduce our dependence on oil. If you are looking for a more environmentally friendly and affordable way to get around, electric vehicles are a great option. For more information on the evironmental impact of EVs check out our article comparing EVs to ICE vehicles.