Can Electric Cars Replace Gas & Oil-Powered Ones?
Our society is becoming increasingly more aware that being eco-friendly is not just a fad, but instead, a way to make the planet habitable for the next generations. Still, although in recent times, the number of electric vehicles has dramatically increased, the transition toward cars that would have a lesser impact on the environment could be quicker. In a second, you’ll learn about the aspects that affect the pace of the transition.
Cost
Since the emergence of Tesla, electric vehicles have become much more common. Why is that? The success of the earlier models, which were significantly more costly, brought the attention of other car manufacturers. Obviously, electric vehicles are nothing new, though it is only in recent years that many car owners have decided to go electric. That’s why more and more car companies decided to put a greater emphasis on electric vehicles. With time, the electric vehicles became more affordable, though their price still isn’t low either. Cars that run on gas cost less, and let’s be honest – price is one of the most important aspects when it comes to the decisions of the customers. Even if people know that electric cars are better for the environment, they might simply not have enough money to afford them. Thankfully, because of the bills that were passed by the governments of many countries, owners of electric cars can claim tax deductions. Still, even if you take the support of the government into account, the cost of electric vehicles remains considerable.
Battery life
It is true that the batteries of electric cars are getting better, but for many customers, it is not enough. Currently, the average range of electric cars is estimated to be 181 miles, while EV with the best car battery, Tesla Model S, has a range of 335 miles. That should be more than enough to commute to work. If, on the other hand, you often go on long trips, then you might discover that you must end your journey prematurely. If you live in the United States, then there is a high chance that somewhere along the road, you’ll find some charging stations. Despite this, many people are dissuaded from buying electric cars as they would prefer to be self-reliant.
Maintenance
The cost of electric cars is higher than the cost of cars that run on gas and oil, but in the long run, the users can save at least some of the money. You don’t need to worry about running out of gas or oil. You won’t also need to change the oil. It means that depending on how much you drive every day, you could save thousands of dollars in the span of a year. Sure, you’ll have to pay more for the car initially, but with time, you’ll notice the decrease in maintenance costs.
The Infrastructure
Depending on where you live, access to EV charging stations could be limited. Currently, there are about 20,000 electric car charging stations in the United States. If you live close to a larger city, then you shouldn’t have any problems with charging the battery when you need it. Unfortunately, the infrastructure required to drive electric vehicles without encountering any issues is not as comprehensive in other parts of the world. Although the situation is certainly progressing in the right direction, the infrastructure must be further developed to eliminate the worries of potential customers.
What does the future hold?
Even though it is difficult to predict what will happen in the near future, it seems that the percentage of electric vehicles will steadily increase. The car batteries of newer models have an improved range, while at the same time, finding charging stations becomes less of a hassle. When you also consider the fact that the cost of electric vehicles becomes increasingly more reasonable, it seems that in the future electric vehicles will become even more popular.
