Cars run on gasoline, diesel and electricity. Here are a couple of points to consider that might help you decide which fuel is best for you: gasoline cars are the cheapest to buy and operate but they might emit some harmful chemicals (CO2 and NOx gases) into the atmosphere. 

 

Diesel cars cost more than a comparable model with an electric engine but they are also less expensive to maintain, have a better range and cost less at the pump. Electric models have none of these benefits in spite of costing up to twice as much as comparable models with an internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel). I don’t have to tell you that today’s oil prices are out of control, here are just a few more reasons to consider an electric car.

Manufacturing Expense

The Big Three automakers, who sell almost all of the cars in the United States, have been adding more and more equipment to their vehicles that is geared toward reducing pollution. However, many of those systems add weight and reduce vehicle performance. 

 

The up-front cost of developing these features can be high so they pass them on to the consumer. Manufacturers must also pay for hardware and software upgrades in order to accommodate increasingly stringent emissions regulations over the life of a vehicle. The price of the electric engine is relatively fixed, so the cost of manufacturing an electric car is not impacted by stricter regulations.

Range Anxiety

A major obstacle preventing many consumers from buying an electric vehicle is their fear that the battery will run out of juice and leave them stranded somewhere. According to a new survey by AAA and EV-maker Tesla Motors, 58 percent of respondents are concerned that they would run out of charge on a long trip, while 53 percent believe it’s too inconvenient to stop for a recharge. Recharging your EV requires two things; electricity and access to a charging station (which isn’t always easy to find in some rural areas).

Utility Costs

There is no mystery about the underlying cost of electrical infrastructure (the wires, the poles and the transformers) to power an electric car. The state-of-the-art technology costs just a fraction of what it would take to build a similar system using alternative fuels. In addition, power stations can be sized based on demand rather than capacity and they can be added as needed without disrupting operations at other facilities. The demand for electricity peaks in the summer, so you won’t have to worry about running out of juice on a hot day.

 

Words of Warning: Electricity is still subject to blackouts and brownouts so don’t expect lightning strikes every 10 seconds wherever you are in America. Also, a good idea is to buy an extended charge cord that can carry more energy than the factory cord.

Longevity

The life of an electric car battery is longer than you might think. The typical vehicle uses a lead-acid battery and those batteries have a 12-18 year life span. Lithium-electric batteries are gaining in popularity because they last up to twice as long as traditional batteries yet they can be recharged many more times before needing replacement. At the end of its useful life, an EV battery could be recycled and converted into energy that might power something else on the road (or maybe not).

Selling the Car

The price of your electric car is likely to be similar to a comparable gasoline or diesel model because there is no need to buy gas or diesel fuel. If you lease the vehicle (or pay a large down payment) you’re still going to have a car payment but it may be more expensive than what you currently pay each month.

Hassle Factor & Maintenance Requirements

As indicated above, an electric car requires electricity which must be provided by qualified utility companies. The maintenance required to keep the car running smoothly is actually easier than that for a gasoline or diesel vehicle (or for an aluminum bicycle) because there is no need to change the oil, tune up belts or replace spark plugs.

Meeting The Requirements

In order to be classified as an EV with a propulsion system of more than 250 watts you must use a qualified electric drive motor. Your EV must also meet all US federal, state and local air pollution standards applicable at the time of manufacture, before it can be registered. As indicated above, your choice of vehicle may also be limited by some states due to crash safety and noise requirements.

 

Conclusion

If an electric car does not currently meet your needs don’t worry, the technology is getting better all the time and it will be a different story in another year or two. Electric cars are more convenient than you might think and they can also help reduce pollution and dependence on foreign oil. 

 

The words of Henry Ford might apply to electric cars today: “You can have any color you want as long as it’s black.”