Buying an Electric car may be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the various types available. Models vary greatly, with varying battery sizes and levels of efficiency. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types, however. In this article we’ll look at some of the pros and cons of owning an Electric car. Here are some reasons to consider an Electric vehicle:
PHEV’s regenerative braking system captures lost energy
Regenerative braking is an efficient way for a PHEV to recover lost energy during braking. It’s especially effective in stop-and-go city traffic, but it can also be beneficial on highway commuting, where repeated braking can generate more energy for the battery. The regenerative effect is visible on the PHEV’s charging gauge, which allows drivers to monitor this system in action.
While regenerative braking does make PHEVs more efficient, it’s not a magic range-booster. In fact, EVs are still inefficient compared to gas-powered vehicles. The most efficient driving style is to maintain a constant speed and never hit the brake pedal. The only reason you’d want to brake is that you lose energy, and it takes extra energy to get back up to speed. So, if you want to maximize your PHEV’s range, try accelerating to a steady speed and never use the brakes.
PHEVs have the same configuration as full HEVs, but with larger battery packs and external electric grid charging ports. They are also capable of running entirely on electricity and have the same range as a full electric car. These vehicles also have regenerative braking systems that use the electric motor as a generator. This energy is stored in the battery and used to power the vehicle. The PHEV’s regenerative braking system also captures lost energy during braking. The result is improved fuel economy and an increased environmental performance.
EV’s power feels smooth and linear
An EV’s power feels smooth and linear. You won’t have to worry about changing gears, and acceleration is smooth and linear. Most EVs have only one forward gear. The absence of manual gearboxes is another factor that makes EVs feel like smooth and linear cars. But there are still minor quirks. You may wonder how much of that is due to nostalgia, but the bottom line is that driving an EV is very similar to driving a car powered by gasoline.
EVs don’t have to be slow or noisy, and it feels like a pure EV. The Nissan Qashqai e-POWER delivers an enjoyable driving experience without any noticeable engine noise. The e-POWER system was introduced in the 2017 Nissan Note compact family car, and it quickly became one of Japan’s best-selling cars. And while you’re driving, you won’t even need to plug in.
It’s cheaper
As batteries become cheaper, the cost of running an EV will be cheaper than that of a 5-year-old diesel. Fleet owners have begun focusing on total cost of ownership to ensure that EVs are costeffective. The simple motors and fewer moving parts of EVs make running an EV cheaper than the cost of operating a gas-powered vehicle. In a few years, electric cars will be more affordable than the cost of running a five-year-old diesel car.
An EV will save drivers on fuel and electricity costs. According to a study by the U.S. Energy Department, battery-powered EVs can be as much as $14,480 cheaper than gas vehicles in some states. The amount of money saved will depend on where you live and the amount of demand on the power grid. If you live in a state where gas prices are higher than your utility rates, electric vehicles can save you thousands of dollars over 15 years.
It’s greener
A recent Financial Times article titled “Small-battery EVs are greener” has cast a shadow over the notion that electric cars are indeed “greener”. A new MIT study claims that large EVs can still emit more CO2 than their gas-powered counterparts after a two-year, two-million-mile (or twoyear) battery charge. In the study, a Model S 100D produced 61,115 kg of CO2 equivalent after driving 270,000 km while a Mitsubishi Mirage generated 51,891 kilograms of CO2 equivalent after the same period. The MIT study assumed that both cars were driven in the coal-dependent Midwest and that their lifespans were the same.
Despite this apparent contradiction, the truth is that EVs are in fact greener than gas-powered vehicles. Electric cars do not produce emissions while driving, and they are less expensive to maintain. Electric cars also need less maintenance and are less likely to break down than their petrol-powered counterparts. These benefits make electric cars the greener choice for many drivers. However, despite these benefits, some people are skeptical. Those opposed to electric cars say that they simply move Polestar to power stations.