Take the plunge or wait and watch?
There is no doubt that electric cars are on the rise. More and more people are putting down their traditional combustion engine vehicles in favor of a clean, eco-conscious alternative. With gas prices rising and environmental concerns mounting, it can seem like a logical step for drivers everywhere to make the switch to an electric car. But is it really worth it?
If I go for it, which electric car should I buy? There is now more and more choice. Internal combustion engine vehicles emit various pollutants that not only harm the environment but also endanger people’s health. Electric cars should be a clean alternative.
Existing as well as imminent driving bans for diesel vehicles in some of the cities are causing more and more consumers to rethink. Is it worth buying an electric car? What should you think about beforehand? Can you also buy used electric vehicles? What is the range of e-cars? We answer these and other questions in the following guide.
What are the advantages of an electric car?
Electric cars are more energy efficient, quieter and need less maintenance. In addition, they do not emit any pollutants and generally cost less to operate than a comparable combustion engine.
For whom is an electric car worthwhile?
Especially for drivers who mainly cover short distances. Anyone who frequently drives hundreds of kilometers is currently better off with a diesel or petrol engine .
Combustion engine vs electric motor
Around 98 percent of all cars registered these days are powered by diesel or petrol. The internal combustion engines work as follows: A mixture of fuel and air is ignited in a cylinder and burns there. This creates pressure which sets a piston in motion . This is followed by a transmission to a shaft that is connected to the wheels via the gearbox.
However, when fuel is burned , pollutants are produced which are released into the air via the exhaust pipe . If you want to do something for the environment, you have the option of buying an electric car instead of a combustion engine . But how is such a vehicle actually powered?
In the motor , electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy . If it is an AC motor, this happens as follows: The so-called stator is an immovable magnet. This surrounds a rotor, which is rotatable because it is mounted on a shaft. The parts are supplied with electrical energy that has been stored in a battery. If the current flows, a magnetic field is created and the rotor begins to turn , as negative and positive charges attract each other, but the same ones repel each other.
However, the movement would end after half a turn. For this reason, alternating current is supplied to the rotor. This means that the polarity of the current changes at regular intervals . This keeps the rotor moving . This rotational movement is used to propel the vehicle.
Buying a car that works without a combustion engine is kind to the environment.
Whether you want to buy a diesel, petrol or electric car: The ownership of a four wheeler usually involves a big investment. For this reason, you should think carefully in advance which vehicle suits you best and how much money it can cost. Before you decide on an electric car, it is advisable to first understand its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of buying an electric car: Quiet and emission-free
Buying electric vehicles has many advantages. Since no fuel is burned, no CO2 is emitted while driving . This makes the vehicles particularly environmentally friendly when in operation. Furthermore, an electric motor is particularly energy efficient . The ratio of used to usable energy is 90%, whereas for internal combustion engines it is just around 40%.
If you buy an electric car, you will also find that it is much quieter than a gasoline or diesel car . In addition, an electric motor has far fewer wearing parts than an internal combustion engine. That makes e-cars particularly low-maintenance . Repairs are generally easier than with diesel or gasoline engines , which is also reflected in the costs.
The operating costs should not be neglected either. Electricity is a lot cheaper than gasoline or diesel , which is why owners of an electric car can save money here.
Electric automobiles have several drawbacks, including a high price and a lack of charging infrastructure.
Purchasing electric vehicles offers both benefits and drawbacks that must be considered. What is generally obvious right away: An e-buying car’s price is typically much more than that of a vehicle with a combustion engine. This is primarily owing to the fact that built-in batteries are still rather costly to produce.
Another factor that deters many buyers from purchasing an electric vehicle is that the range of many models falls far short of that of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. A range of 150 to 500 kilometers per battery charge is now feasible, depending on the type and manufacturer. Many diesel cars, for example, can travel over 1,000 kilometers on a single tank of fuel.
Electric vehicles are often criticized for their lack of charging infrastructure. When the batteries in such a vehicle run out, it must be charged with electricity. However, not everyone has a garage in which they can do this. An electric vehicle must also be charged while in motion. In many locations, charging facilities are still in low supply.
Another downside to buying an electric car is that it takes a lot longer to charge the battery than it does to refuel at a gas station . At a conventional socket, it can sometimes take up to 14 hours until the battery is full again. It’s faster at public charging stations, but here, too, the process takes longer than fuel refilling.
The advantages and disadvantages provided illustrate that if you want to buy an electric automobile, you should think about it carefully beforehand. Above all, before deciding on an electric vehicle, you should ask yourself the following questions:
• What are my usual driving routes? For short travels within the city, an electric automobile is unquestionably the best option. However, if you travel for long periods of time, the lack of range becomes a concern.
• Where can I charge my electric vehicle? If you have your own parking place where you can conveniently charge the battery, that’s a benefit. The use of a so-called wallbox is also recommended. This is one of the fastest charging stations for electric vehicles. It’s also a positive sign if there are enough public charging stations. If you don’t have these options, though, you may experience charging issues.
Is buying used electric vehicles recommended?
As previously stated, the cost of purchasing an e-car is significantly more than that of equivalent diesel and gasoline-powered automobiles. Many consumers therefore wonder whether it would not be possible to buy a second-hand electric car in order to save costs.
In principle, this is possible. However, if you want to buy used electric cars, you should note that newer vehicles are more likely to be found on the vehicle market – after all, many models have not been available for sale for long. Accordingly, the acquisition costs are still comparatively high .
If you want to buy a used electric vehicle, you should definitely have the vehicle checked carefully. E-cars have fewer wearing parts than cars with combustion engines, but here too, the chassis or shock absorbers can be damaged over time. A test drive is essential so that you can check whether there are any defects and how satisfied you are with the driving behavior.
The most important point when buying a used electric car is the battery. This is because its performance decreases over time, so that the range of the vehicle gradually decreases. If the battery has run out of juice, then an extremely expensive replacement is usually necessary. For this reason, you should have the battery thoroughly checked in a specialist workshop before buying it.
Conclusion
The industry is moving slowly towards electric vehicles for good. In Europe, electric cars have outsold diesel vehicles for the first time, which indicates the trend clearly. Electric cars are becoming more popular day by day, and the available options also are improving continuously. Weigh up the pros and cons of switching to electric, and take a calculated decision. Please let us know your opinion and feedback in the comments section.
Thank you!
Good one, though a clear recommendation is not provided!