Electric cars are much cleaner than traditional cars because they don’t emit a cocktail of environmental pollutants. By driving an electric car, you, therefore, contribute to a better environment. Keep in mind the current with which the car is charged. The greener the electricity, the more environmentally friendly the car. Saving for a few solar panels and charging the car with this energy is, therefore, a very good idea. The production and recycling of batteries in particular do have an impact on the environment.
Many manufacturers are taking care of their processes, making sure that they are not leaving a huge impact on the environment. Businesses like Hugo and Sons promote environment-friendly products like upholstered coffee table footstools to help protect the environment and minimize pollution. In the same manner, businesses that promote electric cars make sure that their products don’t emit environmental pollutants.
Fewer maintenance costs
Also nice: with an electric car you have much lower maintenance costs. That has everything to do with the electric motor. Compared to an internal combustion engine, an electric motor has far fewer moving parts. This reduces the chance of wear and tear. Time will tell whether an electric motor is still cheaper in the long run.
Electric cars are whisper quiet
The familiar roaring sound of the traditional car is produced by the internal combustion engine. An electric car is powered by electricity, which means much less noise. The fact that these environmentally friendly cars are whisper-quiet is both an advantage and a disadvantage. It is nice and quiet for motorists and for people who live close to a (highway) road, but dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians.
Driving on electricity is cheaper
You fill the tank and are a few tens poorer. With an electric car, that is a thing of the past. Electricity is cheaper than petrol, diesel, and LPG. Charging the car at home or at work is about half the cost of driving on regular fuel. Public charging points are more expensive, even their the electricity is still cheaper than petrol, diesel or LPG.
It is tax attractive
Electric drivers now have a number of tax benefits. For example, an addition of 4% applies to electric lease cars, instead of the usual 22% for petrol and diesel cars. It also makes a difference that you do not have to pay motor vehicle tax (road tax) and purchase tax (BPM) for electric cars.
You can lease electric cars
The hefty price tag and the uncertain residual value are important arguments not to buy an electric car. With a private lease, you don’t have to worry about that. You pay a fixed monthly amount that is based on the number of kilometers, the contract duration, the price, and the residual value of the car.
The disadvantages of electric cars
Electric cars are more expensive. Electric cars are more expensive than fossil fuel cars. It is actually quite logical that you can’t buy an electric car for next to nothing. They are not yet mass-produced and the batteries are expensive. Also, few electric cars are offered second-hand. If the demand for electric cars continues to rise, this will of course change.
The range is limited
The range of electric cars is getting better, but it still lags behind the traditional car. An electric car can get on average between 100 and 500 kilometers with a full battery. For example, a petrol car with a tank capacity of 50 liters and average fuel consumption of 1 in 15 has a range of 750 kilometers. That’s still a difference. The limited range can cause ‘range anxiety’: the fear of not reaching your destination. That is anything but relaxing driving.
Electric charging takes time
A petrol tank is filled within a few minutes, an electric car takes much longer to charge. At home, you can count on up to 8 hours. At a charging point 1 to 2 hours and at a fast-charging station for 30 minutes. Filling up super fast and driving away is therefore not possible. A plug-in hybrid takes 1 to 4 hours to charge the battery. Driving longer distances, therefore, requires the necessary planning and arrangements.
There are too few charging points
The number of electric cars is increasing faster than the number of charging stations. As a result, charging stations are scarce and it is not always possible to charge the battery. Buying your own charging station is of course an option.
A towbar is missing
A caravan and an electric car usually do not go well together. Many electric cars do not have a towbar. Mounting one is unfortunately not an option. The battery pack is often in the way or the cooling capacity of the battery and motor cannot handle it. Something to keep in mind when buying a car.
It drives something different
One finds driving an electric car a world of difference, while the other does not turn his hand around. The big difference is that you don’t have to shift gears, because there are no gears in the car. This makes acceleration so smooth that you drive too fast.