What are the advantages of owning an EV (Electric Vehicle)? An EV has an increasing number of advantages compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.
Advantages of Owning an EV
EV’s are becoming increasingly relevant and more prevalent on our roads. We take a look at the 10 biggest advantages of owning an EV today.
10. Environmental Benefits
The most obvious advantage of owning an EV is the positive impact it has on the environment. The zero tailpipe emissions help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and helps to reduce the carbon footprint of individuals and businesses. EV’s are playing a significant role in improving air quality and public health especially in densely populated urban areas.
9. Reduced Dependence on Fossil Fuels
When will we run out of fossil fuels? Some suggest we’ll never run out of it. The general consensus is that we’ll run out of gas in the 2050s. Needless to say it’s a great time to take advantage of owning an EV and future proofing yourself. Decreasing reliance on fossil fuels can help your dependence on it and an EV will help switch over to utilising renewable resources like solar, wind and hydro power.
8. Cost Savings on Fuel
One of the biggest advantages of owning an EV is the cost savings on fuel. Typically speaking electricity is cheaper than gasoline or diesel making EVs more cost effective to operate, and possibly to own depending on how long you own the vehicle for. Having your own solar panels and battery storage can also mean you can charge your EV for free and be totally independent of any fossil fuels or electricity networks.
7. Lower Operating Costs
I own a Polestar 2 and my Polestar maintenance intervals is every two years or 30,000km. Even better, servicing is free for the first five years or 100,000km. One of my favorite advantages of owning an EV is the lower operating costs. With fewer moving parts and streamlined mechanical systems when compared to ICE cars an EV could cost cheaper in the long run to own overall.
6. More Energy Efficient
EVs are more energy efficient than ICE cars. Petrol cars convert between 20-30% of energy into propelling an ICE car forward. EV cars convert about 80% of electrical energy to achieve the same result. This efficiency reduces the amount of energy wasted, further enhancing our previous point of the environmental benefits of owning an EV.
5. Reduced Noise Pollution
ICE cars generate much more noise pollution than an EV. So much so, EV’s are usually regulated to make artificial sounds at low speeds or when reversing to warn pedestrians and the visually impaired. At higher speeds, the noise difference between an EV and ICE vehicle is at least 30 dB.
The advantage of reduced noise pollution on a bigger scale is how urban areas are designed specifically around busy roads. A future with EVs can provide a more peaceful environment and could play a crucial role in reducing unsightly sound absorbers and acoustic buffers built in urban areas.
4. Government Incentives
Financially one of the biggest advantages of owning an EV is the incentives from government grants throughout the world which actively promotes the adoption of electric vehicles.
These incentives range from rebates, tax credits, reduced registration fees and even priority access on certain roads. By offering these benefits, policymakers aim to accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation alternatives and reducing emissions.
3. Home Charging
Range anxiety is a real thing but with proper planning and a routine in place it doesn’t have to be. Yes, infrastructure for charging networks is still in its infancy but having a home charging setup at home can change things. EV owners can charge their cars at home by using a standard electrical outlet or can set up a dedicated charging station.
As the range for EVs increase, routinely charging your car at home can eliminate a need to worry about range. Owners can even schedule in their home charging to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates to further lower operating costs.
2. Regenerative Braking
One of the biggest benefits of one-pedal driving is the regenerative braking technology it comes with. When the pedal is depressed, it captures and stores the energy used to brake the car and converts it back into usable power for the vehicle.
The feature helps to lower operating costs as it reduces wear and tear on the braking system. It also improves overall efficiency and is convenient as you can manage a drive without having to touch the brakes.
1. Acceleration
My personal favorite advantage of owning an EV is the lightning quick acceleration. Electric motors are able to provide instant torque with no hesitation whereas ICE cars have many layers of resistance which reduces its effectiveness of getting its power to the wheels. EV cars therefore provide its full power output immediately.
