As a car lover, you will be only too aware of the growing electric car craze. And if you have never owned this kind of vehicle before, you may be wondering whether you should get involved in this growing trend or not. Like anything in life, there are pros and cons, and it really depends which column overshadows the other one for you. So, here are some arguments on both sides to give you a better idea of your options.
Pro – Quick and Quiet
If you have never driven an electric car before, one of the first things you will notice is how quiet it is compared to a regular vehicle. You may have expected this, but what a lot of people don’t expect is how powerful they are as well. The power is immediately directed to the wheels after stepping on the accelerator so it really does give you an entirely different driving experience.
Con – Limited Range
Many people don’t like the idea that the standard range for most affordable electric cars is only 80 to 100 miles. And when you do go to refuel your car, this will take a long time. You can’t just run down to the gas station and have your car ready to go in minutes – it will be more like hours. However, this is gradually starting to improve as time goes on so it is worth looking at the individual vehicle.
Pro – Home Recharging
The idea of never having to go to the gas station again is very appealing for many people, and being able to do it from the comfort of your home with electric car charging ports is also an attractive proposition. And since you can do this overnight, you can simply wake up and your car is all ready to go again.
Con – Higher Cost
Electric cars tend to be a fair amount more expensive than their traditional counterparts. So, if you can’t afford to pay this initial price, you are going to be struggling. Again, it is a case that prices will probably come down in the future, so it is worth keeping an eye on how the market is changing. Also, you have to consider that you save significantly on fuel and maintenance costs.
Pro – No Tailpipe Emissions
If you are concerned about the impact your driving has on the environment, you are safe in the knowledge that your electric car has no tailpipe emissions. Most researchers agree that electric cars have a smaller environmental impact that their traditional counterparts.
Con – Lack of Consumer Choice
Though the market is expanding, there is still a lack of consumer choice at the moment. And the current styles are of the love-it-or-hate-it variety so this will impact your decision.
Conclusion
So, after reading through some of the pros and cons that are out there, hopefully you have a better idea of whether or not an electric car is for you. You will have to weigh up price, environmental impact, performance and style before coming to your final decision.