Should You Switch to an Electric Vehicle?
by Courtney Conley While electric vehicles (EVs) are more common than ever, many drivers in the U.S. are still hesitant about making the switch. While there are incentives to purchasing an electric vehicle in some states, we’re a ways off from seeing a full transition from gas-powered to electric vehicles.
Other countries are more serious when it comes to adopting EVs. The U.K., for example, has banned sales of new internal combustion engine vehicles starting in 2030. New hybrid vehicle sales will be banned in 2035; used vehicle sales will be able to continue as normal.
What makes some people make the switch to EVs, while others remain skeptical? Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of EVs.
EV Pros
- Environmental benefits: EVs produce zero emissions, which helps improve air quality and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Lower operating costs: It’s cheaper to charge your vehicle than to buy gas, so you can save money on fuel costs.
- Less maintenance: EVs have fewer moving parts than gasoline-powered cars, so they require less maintenance. This makes them more cost-effective over time.
- Quieter operation: EVs are much quieter than gas-powered cars, which many people like.
- State incentives: Some states offer big incentives for buying an EV. For example, California will give up to a $7,500 EV tax credit.
Now let’s look at some cons.
EV Cons
- Range issues: The range of an EV is limited by the size of its battery. This could be a problem if you have a long commute or if you plan on doing a lot of road trips.
- Higher initial cost: Even though the cost over time is lower, buying an EV is still more expensive than their gas-powered counterpart. There aren’t as many used EVs on the market yet, either.
- Charging times: It’s much quicker to fill up a gas-powered vehicle than an EV. The time it takes to charge an EV depends on what level of charger your use. It’s possible to "trickle charge" your EV at home using Level 1 equipment (i.e., plugging it into an appropriate wall socket in your home or a parking garage). It works in a pinch, but it’s a very slow process.
- Level 2 charging at home: A better option for at-home charging is having a professional electrician install a Level 2 home charger directly into your home’s electrical panel. This allows you to charge your EV more quickly at home, but it can be quite expensive to install.
- Level 3 "DC fast charging" station availability: Commercial fast charging stations are popping up more and more as EVs gain popularity, but they’re not as prevalent as gas stations, especially in rural areas.
When it comes to future vehicles, it’s clear that the market is moving toward the cleaner option with EVs. It will be interesting to watch opinions and preferences towards EVs change over time.
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While electric vehicles (EVs) are more common than ever, many drivers in the U.S. are still hesitant about making the switch. While there are incentives to purchasing an electric vehicle in some states, we’re a ways off from seeing a full transition from gas-powered to electric vehicles.