It seems like electric cars are the new “it” vehicles. We see them on the road every single day, but have you ever wondered if they’re truly as sustainable as they seem? Or is it just another new thing designed to attract customer attention?
There are several different types of electric cars; battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, range-extended, and fuel cell. However, the most popular one is the battery electric vehicle (BEV). BEVs use external power sources to generate electricity, which is then stored in the battery of the vehicle. Unlike regular, gas-powered cars, BEVs don’t contain an internal combustion engine; instead, they have a battery. BEVs have gained lots of attention, raising both appreciation and concerns. But are they really the future? Do the advantages really outweigh the disadvantages?
One advantage of having a battery electric car is that it needs much less maintenance than a gas-powered one, making it much more economical. Since BEVs don’t have a combustion engine, they don’t need things like oil changes. Additionally, most BEVs are equipped with regenerative braking—the energy lost during braking is stored in the battery, so the braking systems tend to last longer. Since they run on batteries and have fewer moving parts and less fluids than regular cars, BEVs are quite simple to take care of. Also, they are well known for being a smoother driving experience due to the elimination of the combustion engine. With BEVs travelers can not only enjoy a quiet drive but also the knowledge that they are reducing noise pollution. But most important of all, BEVs are capable of performing excellently in terms of driving power and speed. For enhanced safety, BEVs are also equipped with external speakers to ensure that pedestrians and other drivers are alerted when one passes by. With the increase in the number of BEVs on the road, loud traffic noise most likely won’t be as bad as it has been in the past.
But electric cars also come with several inconveniences. Unlike gassing up a regular car, which usually takes less than five minutes, charging a BEV can take several hours, which is inconvenient for many. Unless you plan to charge your car at home, it’s risky to drive around with a low battery as charging stations may not always be readily available, and a lot of time can be spent getting the battery back up to an adequate charge. Also, if you want to charge your car as quickly as possible, you’ll need to find a fast charging station, which isn’t always easy either and could cost you much more money. Another issue with BEVs is the fact that the battery can degrade over time, decreasing the driving range. (Over time, the life of the battery will gradually diminish, but the speed of its decline will depend on how much the car has been driven, how many times the battery’s been charged, and other factors.) Essentially, an electric car is like a smartphone, which has similar issues. And when the battery is spent, it is simply discarded as waste, which defeats the purpose of an electric car: to reduce carbon emissions.
The list of advantages and disadvantages regarding electric cars will no doubt continue to grow, but the choice is yours. Will an electric car suit your wants and needs? Are they really worth the hype? As the popularity of electric vehicles increases, only time will tell.
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References
- Better Planet Education. n.d. “Electric Cars—What Are the Downsides to Electric Cars?” Accessed January 14, 2025. https://betterplaneteducation.org.uk/factsheets/electric-cars-what-are-the-downsides-to-electric-cars
- Keysight. n.d. “Electric Vehicle Advantages, Disadvantages, and Advancements.” Accessed January 14, 2025. https://www.keysight.com/us/en/lib/resources/miscellaneous/electric-vehicle-advantages-and-disadvantages.html
- Lindwall, Courtney. 2023. “Why the Electric Vehicle Revolution Can Benefit Everyone.” Natural Resources Defense Council, April 18. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/why-electric-vehicle-revolution-can-benefit-everyone
- Nissan. n.d. “Electric Vehicle Benefits.” Accessed January 14, 2025. https://www.nissanusa.com/experience-nissan/news-and-events/benefits-of-electric-cars.html
- Tallodi, John. 2022. “Seven Disadvantages of Electric Cars.” Carwow, December 15. https://www.carwow.co.uk/guides/choosing/disadvantages-of-electric-cars#gref
- Threewitt, Cherise. 2024. “Pros and Cons of Electric Cars.” U.S. News and World Report, August 30. https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/pros-and-cons-electric-cars
- U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center. n.d. “Maintenance and Safety of Electric Vehicles.” Accessed January 14, 2025. https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric-maintenance
