Let’s face it: life stands still for nobody. Whether it’s getting to work, dropping the kids to school, doing the shopping or running errands – we all need to be somewhere, at some time, most of the week, and we all need a reliable way to get around.
That’s why car ownership is such a huge asset to busy families and individuals alike. The convenience and freedom that accompanies owning a car, makes cars an integral purchase to a growing population of people across the globe.
People are, however, becoming more environmentally conscious as global warming trends continue to rise. That’s why car buyers are now looking to swap their traditional gas-guzzling SUVs for an electric SUV and other electric or even hybrid car models to keep their family moving in the future.
In this helpful article, we’ll share five things you should know about electric cars before you set out to find one of your own.
Electric Cars Are Cheap to Run (In The Long Term)
Whilst buying an electric car may cost a bit more than a car that runs on petrol or diesel, the cost savings over time are genuinely incredible.
The reason for this is simply because electric cars don’t require fuel to power them. Instead, they are charged by electricity. Even though you’re still paying for the electricity used to charge these cars, the costs involved here are considerably lower than filling a full tank of petrol or diesel every week.
You’ll also notice a significant increase in the weight in your wallet or purse with an electric vehicle – this is, of course, all the savings you’ll attain when making the switch from a car with a combustion engine to a car with an electric motor.
Electric Cars Are Low Maintenance
Believe it or not, electric cars don’t need oil to lubricate the moving parts of their engines, because their battery-powered motors possess a fraction of the moving parts that are required to ensure the smooth operations of a combustion engine. This means that EVs require less servicing and maintenance when compared to combustion engines. The increased longevity of EVs is one of the primary reasons why many believe combustion engines are set to become a thing of the past.
Where you usually need to take a petrol car in for a service every six months, electric vehicles need maintenance once a year or so, and then it’s only to inspect the brakes and tyres and other components. This means that as well as EVs being low maintenance, you will also save money on servicing costs too.
EVs are Environmentally Friendly
Whilst the average consumer doesn’t produce anywhere near as much pollution as some large companies, owning a fossil-fuel-powered car still contributes to carbon emissions and global warming. By purchasing an EV, you are greatly reducing your individual carbon footprint, as well as the carbon footprint of your overall household.
EVs are emission-free, so you can feel safe in the knowledge that you are doing your part for the planet.
Road Trips Will Require Extra Planning Ahead
Unlike petrol vehicles, not every service station or roadside set of shops will have a charging station. Whilst most EVs can travel several hundred kilometres between charges, they will still need charging after a while on the road.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t take a road trip in an EV, it just means that you need to plan ahead to ensure you always have access to charging stations along your route. Whilst the future of car ownership will see EVs become more popular, for now, a road trip in one just requires some forethought and planning.
This may mean that your holiday destinations are slightly limited, at least for the moment. It’s growing increasingly likely, however, that charging stations will become as commonplace as traditional petrol stations in the near future.
Electric Vehicles Come in Many Models and Sizes
Contrary to popular belief, EVs come in almost as many models and sizes as fossil fuel-powered vehicles, meaning that you can choose between a hatchback, a sedan or even an SUV. There is also an electric utility vehicle being developed by Tesla – the Cybertruck.
As EVs become more popular, car manufacturers will adapt their designs and innovations, producing more and more variants of EVs – including larger SUVs and possibly even trucks.
An Electric Car Conclusion
We’ve shared five things you should know about electric cars in this helpful blog. From low maintenance costs, reduced running costs and the roadway to zero emissions, it’s clear to see why EVs are largely being considered to be the cars of the future.
We also covered how you’ll need to plan ahead for road trips, and listed what models and sizes of EVs are currently on the market if you’re looking to make the swap over from combustion engines to an electric engine today.