Electric vehicles (EVs) have quickly become a hot topic in the Australian motoring landscape, with more manufacturers coming to the table with new models, and the Aussie infrastructure ticking along to meet demands. But while the vehicular market is heading towards more environmentally-sustainable initiatives, what are the pros and cons of electric vehicles for the average motorist?
The Pros of Electric Cars
There are many reasons why you might want to consider an electric car, including:
* No emissions – EVs produce zero emissions, which is great news for the environment.
* Cheaper to run – Electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel, so you’ll save money on running costs.
* Lower ongoing servicing and maintenance costs – EVs have far fewer moving parts than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, so they’re cheaper to service and maintain.
* Quieter to drive – EVs are virtually silent when in use, so they’re perfect if you live in an urban area or want a more peaceful driving experience
* Driving dynamics – Many EVs offer excellent driving dynamics thanks to their instant torque delivery. This means they can be very fun to drive!
* Additional storage space – The lack of a need for an engine means EVs often have more storage space than ICE cars
The Cons of Electric Cars
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to electric cars that you should be aware of, such as
* Higher upfront costs – EVs typically cost more to buy than ICE cars. However, this cost is offset by cheaper running costs in the long run
* Range limitations – The range of an EV can be affected by a number of factors including weather conditions and how you drive. This means you may need to plan your journeys carefully to ensure you don’t run out of charge midway through!
* Time to recharge battery – It can take several hours to fully recharge an EV battery, so it’s not ideal if you need to make a long journey at short notice
* Lack of charging stations and infrastructure – While the infrastructure for EVs is rapidly improving, there are still relatively few charging stations compared to petrol stations. This means you may need to plan your journeys carefully to ensure you can recharge when needed
* Lack of car models available – There are currently fewer models of EV available than ICE cars. However, this is changing rapidly as more manufacturers enter the market
* Resale value – It’s unclear how well EVs will hold their value over time given they’re a relatively new technology. This means you may need to think carefully before buying an EV if you’re planning on selling it in the future.
Electric vehicles offer a number of advantages over traditional internal combustion engine cars but there are also some potential drawbacks that motorists should be aware of before making the switch. Ultimately, whether or not an EV is right for you will come down to your individual circumstances and needs but it’s certainly worth doing your research before making a decision!
