In recent years, we’ve seen the popularity of electric vehicles skyrocket in a mission to work towards a greener future. This is because fossil fuels are extremely damaging to the environment, not to mention that there’s a limited supply of such. In fact, if we continue at our current rate, it’s thought that fossil fuels will deplete as soon as 2060. It’s for this reason that car manufacturers are on a mission to not produce new diesel or petrol vehicles by 2030. As a result of this goal, the government has invested heavily in charging infrastructure so that the switch from petrol/diesel to electric becomes much more manageable.
There are various reasons to make the switch to an electric vehicle due to the benefits provided by lithium ion polymer batteries. Despite this, there are also a number of considerations to take into account. To that end, detailed below are some of the things to bear in mind when contemplating making the switch from petrol/diesel to electric vehicles.
Road Tax on Electric Cars
In America, there is a gas tax. Naturally, electric vehicle owners won’t be charged this tax, as electric cars don’t run on gas. Despite this, this isn’t to say that electric vehicle owners aren’t subject to any taxes at all; instead, they pay taxes with other goals in mind. For instance, electric vehicle owners are required to pay taxes that support the likes of road maintenance and construction. Similarly, electric vehicles are typically more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts, meaning that higher sales tax is paid on these vehicles. On top of this, electric vehicle drivers pay taxes on the electricity used to charge the vehicles.
The Difference Between an Electric Car and a Petrol/Diesel Option
So, what’s the difference between an electric car and a petrol/diesel option? From the design and build to the environmental impact, the differences between petrol/diesel vehicles and electric ones are extremely noticeable. For instance, a gas-powered car has more moving parts than an electric vehicle, which is down to the battery that powers it. This is because various parts make up the overall unit of a combustion engine, including fluids, belts, drive shafts, and the transmission.
Additionally, electric vehicles typically have a reduced range when compared with diesel or petrol cars. This is what concerns the vast majority of electric vehicle drivers, as they don’t want to find themselves in a position where their car can go on for no more. While there has been investment to introduce charging stations more extensively, it takes significantly longer to charge a car than to fill it with fuel. In spite of all this, though, electric vehicles emit significantly less pollution.
The Difference Between Fully Electric and Hybrid Cars
The stepping-stone between a fully electric car and a petrol/diesel car is a hybrid car. Despite this, it can be confusing to understand how electricity and fuel can work in tandem. Well, hybrid cars are designed to be more environmentally friendly than petrol/diesel cars; however, they still maintain a conventional engine. Instead, they combine a petrol motor with an electrical battery, which results in a more powerful propulsion system.
With hybrid vehicles, the most important of the two power sources is the internal combustion engine. The role of the electric battery is to complement the petrol engine, working as an additional layer of support rather than a sole power source. As a result, hybrid vehicles are able to store electrical energy, which fully electric vehicles are unable to do. While hybrid vehicles won’t emit as much pollution as fully petrol/diesel vehicles, they’re not as environmentally friendly as fully electric cars.
The Types of Electric Cars
When it comes to finding vehicles that run on electricity, there are three main types to choose from. These include the 100% electric car, the plug-in hybrid, and the dual-engine hybrid. As previously mentioned, the fully electric vehicle boasts an exclusively electric engine, in which the rechargeable battery is plugged in and recharged. As the name suggests, the plug-in hybrid can be plugged into a charging socket and makes use of regenerative braking. Lastly, the dual-engine hybrid is predominantly powered by a combustion engine, and the electric side of things is there to be supportive.
Today, there are various brands and models of electric cars, making them a viable option globally. Some of the most popular electric cars include the Tesla Model S, Renault Zoe, Volkswagen e-up!, BMW i3, Hyundai Kona Hybrid, Fiat 500 EV, and Nissan Leaf.
The Health Benefits of Driving an Electric Car
You might be surprized to learn that electric cars are not only better for the environment but for our health, too. It has been estimated that 7 million people die prematurely every year due to air pollution. Fewer emissions mean less pollution.
