For environment conscious car enthusiasts, the arrival of electric cars has been nothing short of a blessing. There is no doubt that electric cars have numerous benefits as compared to their petrol counterparts. However, like everything else, there are some downsides as well. The good thing is that manufacturers are striving to make it more feasible and efficient. We have seen electric cars evolve tremendously over the years, but it is important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
In this guide, we will examine the pros and cons of electric cars in detail.
Pros of Electric Cars
Electric cars are evolving at a rapid rate and multiple auto manufacturing companies plan to fully switch to electric cars in the near future. The demand for electric cars has significantly risen in automotive markets by consumers who are incentivized by the benefits electricity-powered vehicles offer. Automotive manufacturers like Tesla and Chevrolet have led the way in the electrification of vehicles and other auto manufacturing companies are also switching to electric cars. Following is a list of benefits of having an electric car.
Electric cars are environment friendly
In a world fraught with increasing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, electric cars are a much-needed breakthrough especially considering that transportation is a major constituent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Using electric cars can reduce carbon footprint in the automotive industry and can drastically cut down emissions of hazardous gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.
Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles in which burning the fuel causes greenhouse gas emissions, electric cars are powered by electricity which does not emit harmful gases. It can be argued that electricity to run electric cars is also made by burning fossil fuels and their byproduct(s) can have an adverse impact on the environment.
However, burning fossil fuels emits way less carbon dioxide and it is rather an efficient and effective way of utilizing fossil fuels. Moreover, this burning of fossil fuels in order to generate the power to recharge electric batteries takes place at a plant that is not located in a residential area.
Economical than petrol counterparts
Generating electricity is cheaper than producing fuel which means that it is cheaper to run an electric car as compared to the fuel-powered ones. As per a research study conducted in 2018, electric automobiles cost half of the cost it takes for fuel-powered vehicles to operate. According to their research, the average cost of operating an electric vehicle is AED 1800 per annum, compared to AED 4000 for a fuel-powered vehicle. To break it down further, an electric car will run the same distance for AED 40 for which a fuel-powered vehicle will cost AED 130.
Not only are electric cars economical to operate, but it is also comparatively cheaper to maintain electric cars in the long run.
Less noisy than fuel-powered vehicles
Traffic noise is a leading cause of noise pollution which has a devastating impact on humans. Unlike fuel-powered vehicles, electric cars attenuate traffic noise. Not only does this reduce noise pollution, but it also makes the driving experience more pleasant because traffic noises are extremely annoying.
Cons of Electric Cars
The environmental pros of electric cars and the economic benefits of electric cars mentioned above paint an all-rosy picture of electric cars. However electric cars have some cons as well. Now that you know the benefits of having an electric car and how electric cars benefit the environment, it’s time to explore the cons of using electric cars. Below, we examine the cons of electric cars in detail.
Electric cars are costlier
Electric vehicles are generally pricier than fuel-powered vehicles. They aren’t produced on a scale as big as their fuel-powered counterparts yet and are, therefore, expensive as compared to traditional vehicles. In addition, unlike fuel-powered automobiles, second-hand electric cars are not as easily available. This will, of course, change as the number of electric cars produced increases.
Less range than fuel-powered cars
Although automotive manufacturers are striving to increase the range of distance electric cars can travel, it still remains behind fuel-powered vehicles in that aspect. With a fully charged battery, an electric automobile can go between 100 and 500 kilometres whereas a fuel-powered car with a tank capacity of 50 litres can go as far as 750 kilometres with a full tank. So, if you are the one who drives long distances, you should be aware that electric cars need to be charged multiple times to serve your purpose.
However, it is worth noting that there has been a significant improvement in distance range of electric vehicles over time. For instance, Mercedes EQS has a range of 780 kilometres, Tesla Model S has a range of 650 kilometeres and BMW iX has a range of 610 kilometres.
Charging electric vehicles is time consuming
If your car runs out of fuel, it literally takes a few minutes to get your car refuelled, not counting the time spent waiting for the queue at the fuel station. An electric car, on the other hand, takes much longer to charge from a couple of hours to even four hours. Although there are fast chargers like ABB’s Terra 360 modular charger which can charge four vehicles at once available that reduce the time needed to charge the battery, it still takes significantly more time than a fuel-powered vehicle takes to get refuelled. Thus, driving long distances in an electric car necessitates appropriate planning and preparation.
There are electric cars with an incredibly impressive recharging time. For example, Smart EQ fortwo, when charged with a rapid charger, takes only about 55 minutes to full charge.
Charging points are fewer than fuel stations
Like fuel stations for fuel-powered vehicles, electric cars are charged at charging points. Installing these charging points is a costly investment. As a result of fewer charging points, going on long trips with an electric car can be a challenge. There are electric car chargers for home but it can take about 5 to 6 hours to charge an electric car at home.
Although installing charging stations is a costly investment, things are changing in the UAE as the government is supporting the use of greener vehicles. In an effort to encourage sustainable transportation in Dubai, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has made about 300 charging stations available to all commercial and non-commercial EV users in Dubai. Apart from this, the number of stations is increasing quite rapidly in other Emirates as well. Apart from this, On Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, the ultra-fast electric charging stations can charge an EV 25 times faster than normal chargers.
These are the major pros and cons of electric cars. If you are interested in purchasing an electric car, make sure that you weigh the pros and cons of electric cars carefully and understand the difference between hybrid and electric cars before making the purchase. You can also check out a huge collection of used cars for sale in UAE to fulfill your commuting needs.
To keep up with all that’s happening in the world of automobiles, stay tuned to UAE’s leading auto blog.
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