Electric cars are cars that are powered by electricity, as opposed to gasoline. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have a number of advantages over gasoline cars. Electric vehicle cars are becoming more popular by the day and for good reason. They’re environmentally friendly, they’re affordable, and they’re a lot of fun to drive. Keep reading to learn more about why electric vehicles are our future.
They Are Environmentally Friendly
Electric vehicles are environmentally friendly for a number of reasons. They produce zero emissions, which means they don’t contribute to air pollution. This is a major benefit in cities, where air pollution is a major health hazard. These vehicles also don’t produce noise pollution, which is a major benefit in urban areas. These vehicles also have a smaller environmental impact than gas cars. Electric vehicles also have a much higher efficiency than gas cars. These vehicles convert about 60% of the energy from the battery to motion, while gas cars only convert about 20% of the energy from the fuel to motion. This means that electric vehicles can go further on a single charge.
They Are Cheap to Operate
When you compare the cost of operating an electric car to a gasoline-powered car, the savings are dramatic. First, there’s the cost of gasoline. Considering inflation, a gallon of gasoline costs around $4.50, while electricity costs around $0.12 per kWh. So, even if your electric car gets slightly worse gas mileage than your gasoline car, you’ll still save money on fuel costs.
Electric vehicles also require much less maintenance than gasoline cars. There are no oil changes, no tune-ups, and no emissions checks. In fact, the only regular maintenance an electric car needs is a check of the tires and brakes. Further, there are government incentives. The federal government offers a tax credit of up to $7,500 for the purchase of an electric car. Many states also offer their own incentives, such as rebates, tax credits, and free parking.
The Driving Range is Only Increasing
Another great benefit of electric vehicles is that the driving range is only increasing. Recent advancements in technology have led to electric vehicles with a much longer driving range than ever before. For example, the new Nissan Leaf has a driving range of up to 150 miles. This increased driving range is making electric vehicles more and more appealing to consumers. In addition, the cost of electric vehicles is decreasing, making them more affordable.
Charging Infrastructure Is Growing Rapidly
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is growing rapidly. Although electric vehicles make up only a tiny fraction of the world’s vehicles, the number of charging points is growing fast. In China, electric buses now make up a majority of the bus fleet in some cities. And the Chinese government is investing heavily in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with plans to install 5 million charging points by 2020. Norway is also a leader in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. There are already more than 20,000 charging points in Norway, and the country plans to have 1 million charging points by 2030. The United States is also investing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The Department of Energy has announced a $1.5 billion investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This investment will create nearly 10,000 new charging points.
The growth of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is good news for the environment and for these vehicle owners’ pockets. With more charging points, it will be easier for people to switch to electric vehicles. And the growth of the vehicle charging infrastructure will help reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
