What It's Like Owning & Driving an Electric Car
As gas prices go up and the auto industry steers toward full electrification, more and more people are considering buying an electric vehicle as their next car. But what is owning and driving an electric car like? The following are some of the pros and cons of electric car ownership, which may help you decide whether to jump on the EV ship.
Reduced carbon footprint and fuel
Electric vehicles are more environmentally friendly than gas-powered cars. Even factoring in the manufacturing energy cost as well as their reliance on the electric grid — which may not necessarily derive its power from renewable sources — EVs are still expected to generate fewer harmful emissions over their lifecycle than gas-powered cars. “According to a model devised by the automotive consulting firm FEV, the life-cycle emissions of a small gas car will surpass those of a small EV after roughly 27,000 miles of driving,” writes Annie White, associate editor for Car and Driver. Buying a used EV is an especially good way to offset its carbon debt.
Charging stations and times
Most EVs have enough range to cover your daily commute, meaning you can charge it overnight at home and repeat the next day. With this lifestyle, it may be a long time before you ever need to find a charging station and worry about charging times. However, if you are running low on battery and are not in a major metropolitan area, it can be difficult to find a charging station without using a specialized app. Additionally, charging an EV is still far more time-consuming than refueling with gasoline, making them less ideal than gas-powered cars for long road trips. “The most commonly found Level 2 chargers provide up to 20 miles of range every hour spent charging.” That said, charging times vary depending on various factors, including the charging technology and temperature.
Ownership costs
From fuel to maintenance, electric vehicles have lower running costs than gas-powered cars. According to a study by Consumer Reports, typical EV owners who do most of their fueling at home “can expect to save an average of $800 to $1,000 a year on fueling costs over an equivalent gasoline-powered car.” The same study also found that over the lifetime of the vehicle, the average EV owner saves about $4,600 on maintenance and repair costs compared to gas-powered cars. This is because EVs are less mechanically complex and do not require regular engine oil changes. Finally, EVs are just as good as or better than their gas-powered counterparts at holding their value over time, making them valuable to owners intending to sell their car.
Driving comfort and enjoyment
Electric vehicles deliver a different kind of driving experience. Because there is no engine noise, they are much quieter than gas-powered cars, leading to a more serene ride. In many models, the regenerative braking technology may even enable you to slow down to a stop without using the brake pedal, further enhancing comfort. In addition, EVs are typically much more responsive than gas-powered cars. “Electric motors generate peak torque from a dead stop, so there is an immediacy to the power and acceleration that can’t be matched in a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine,” writes Autoweek contributor Chris Teague. That said, drivers who enjoy the sound of an engine revving through its gears may find the driving experience of an EV to be subjectively less engaging.
On the sum of it, there are more advantages to owning and driving an EV than disadvantages. And as manufacturers make increasingly more attractive, fast-charging EVs — and as the amount of electricity from renewable sources goes up — their appeal can only rise commensurately.