Why Electric Cars Are Better than Gas Cars

I. Introduction

You must have noticed the increased number of electric vehicles on the road. But while you, your neighbors, and their grandmas are getting EVs, some individuals still cannot decide to get one for themselves. And here’s why.

One primary reason is inadequate information. Yes, EVs offer several advantages over their gasoline counterparts, including lower costs, better fuel economy, less maintenance, and more convenience. However, many individuals need to be equipped with adequate knowledge to make informed decisions. This article aims to inform readers about the benefits of electric cars over gas cars. So, if you are ready, let’s dive in.

II. Costs

While it is true that the upfront cost of purchasing an electric car can be higher than that of a gas car, the long-term story says differently. With all sorts of periodic and routine maintenance required for gas cars, including oil changes, decarbonating, and changing filters, its overall cost can be significantly high.

In contrast, electric cars have no combustion engine and, as such, require no oil change or filter change along with other maintenance that reduces its overall cost in the long term. On top of that, it uses electricity with chargers like a level 3 EV charger to recharge its battery which is cheaper than gasoline. The rebate programs by many governments for purchasing electric cars are another addition to the cost savings for electric car owners.

III. Fuel Economy

As we’ve already hinted, electric cars have a better fuel economy than gas cars, not just because gasoline costs more per range but also because EVs are more energy-efficient. EVs have a 70% conversion compared to the 20% energy conversion for gas cars. This means that electric vehicles can go much further on a single charge than gasoline cars can on a single tank of gas. Although, the electrical energy consumed may differ and may also depend on the driving habit of the user.

Another determinant of how much fuel economy an EV would serve is the load it carries. This is because the more the load, the more electrical energy is consumed by an EV. But on average, an EV’s electrical energy consumption is drastically reduced with the usual driving habit, and less load is carried as compared to a gasoline-powered automobile.

Furthermore, the cost to charge an EV either with a level 1 or level 2 EV charger is much less than the cost of filling up a gas tank. And the range of electric cars continues to increase per kilowatt-hour as battery technology improves. If the advances in battery technology are anything to go by, the future holds more promises for improved EV efficiency. Therefore, it is crystal clear that with EVs converting 60% to 70% of their energy from their grid to power themselves and gas cars only converting about 20% to power themselves, EVs require less energy to travel the same distance as a gas car.

IV. Less Maintenance.

The arduous task of gasoline car maintenance and the long periods spent at car workshops leaves little desire for such activities. However, with few moving parts, EV owners don’t have to deal with this challenge. It means less maintenance, fewer repairs, and a longer lifespan for electric vehicles. Also, there is no need for filter and oil change that is required for gas vehicles. Therefore, you save time and regular maintenance costs.

But it gets even better.

The absence of a combustion engine in electric vehicles, as found in fossil-fueled cars, naturally removes some functional systems like timing belts, fuel injectors, and exhaust pipes. These parts often require that you carry some long-term maintenance tools for emergencies. But with EVs, there is no need to spend so much purchasing these tools while also avoiding the stress of moving all those maintenance tools.

Although the brake pads of an EV have to be checked for maintenance as well, it would have covered a longer mileage before it can be replaced. For instance, the brake pads of a gasoline-powered car must be changed after about thirty thousand to fifty thousand miles. But that of an EV is more. Approximately up to about a hundred thousand miles are covered in the distance. This is due to its regenerative braking style, and friction that causes wear in the braking system of EVs is eliminated.

V. Convenience.

To fully understand the convenience of an electric car compared to a gas car, you need to imagine having a gas station at home. Instead of driving long distances away from home to a gas station, you only need to plug in your EV to a home charging station using your connector, which then recharges your battery.

Again, you are not limited by closing and opening hours, as most gas stations have open business hours. Also, you are not in short supply of publicly available charging stations if you find yourself driving through the city as more charging stations are beginning to spring up at every turn you take. Plus, you can use a portable EV charger if you really need to top up but have yet to find a charging station.

Moreover, the driving experience for an EV is more comfortable than a gasoline car, as EVs are generally quieter and smoother than gas cars when in motion.

VI. Health and Environmental Benefits.

1. How does electric car production affect the environment?

With electric cars, one question you can’t help but ask is: Are electric cars truly the eco-friendly option? After all, if you must produce anything, you’ll require resources and energy, and electric cars are not exempted.

Let’s begin with the electricity source for charging electric cars. If the majority of EVs use electricity generated from fossil fuels to charge their batteries, it then means that the environmental benefits of electric cars may become less significant. But then, more charging stations are beginning to shift to wind, solar, and other sources of renewable energy for their electricity source. As soon as they become the dominant electricity source, the worry about electric car production and its environmental impact will naturally fade away.

Again, there is a concern about its batteries. You’ll need to mine and process the raw materials used in its production, which often impact negatively on the environment. Fortunately, EV battery manufacturers have gone in the direction of sustainable manufacturing practices using recyclable materials like plastic in their battery production. This move is quickly reducing the negative impact of battery manufacturing on the environment.

You shouldn’t also forget that fossil-fueled cars have a shorter lifespan than EVs, which means more EV owners have their cars longer than gas car owners who frequently change their cars. Hence, the good environmental impact of using EVs, like fewer carbon footprints, far outweighs its production impact. So, while electric car production may not be perfect, it’s certainly heading in the right direction.

2. Are hybrid cars just as good for the environment?

The natural question now is: are hybrid cars any better? With their use of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, hybrid cars have generally been judged as an eco-friendly alternative to gasoline cars.

But here is the thing. The hybrid car still has a combustion engine which means it still produces carbon emissions. The only thing is it uses electric motors to reduce the amount of emission, especially since most emissions are generated during slow-moving traffic, which is when electric motors function.

Also, its regenerative braking system, which allows it to convert unused kinetic energy into electric energy for its battery, makes it more energy-efficient. In the end, even though hybrid cars still have a part of them that uses gasoline, it is still more fuel efficient than purely fossil-fueled cars, which has a negative environmental impact. 

Conclusion.

Let’s recap. With all the benefits that electric cars offer, reducing carbon footprint is often touted as the most important. However, EV production still negatively impacts the environment, including fossil fuel-generated electricity for charging these EVs and mining raw materials for battery production. However, with all these environmental effects, electric cars still have a more positive impact on the environment than gasoline cars. And with the technologies powering EVs rapidly improving, the positive environmental impact of EVs will only increase in no distant time.