Since Tesla was introduced as an electric car, the engineers have gone beyond to prove that electric cars are faster, fun, and better to drive around. Tesla builds only electric cars and has no intention to compromise making hybrids gas-electric cars in the future.
Tesla Motors was the first electric car production company. Since 2013, the company has stayed true to its cause and still insists that electric cars are the future.
The engineers are trying to educate the consumers on dependency on fossil and nuclear power. If we reduce our carbon footprint, we can lower global warming to an average percentage.
Most people worry about electric cars and the ability to recharge them. Thus, they might choose a gasoline hybrid to cover the distance left when the car runs out of charge.
However, Tesla manufacturers assure its customers that the car drives a long-range. They also have strategically placed supercharger stations in most states in the USA.
What is the difference between a hybrid and an electric car?
If you’re considering buying a new car, you should probably choose between an electric car or a hybrid car. Each option has its benefits and limitations that you should carefully consider before walking into that dealership.
Hybrid cars are a combination of conventional gasoline-powered cars and electric cars. A hybrid car features a combustion engine that uses gasoline and an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery pack. These types of vehicles can use both engines parallel to each other to increase power depending on the driving powertrain.
Generally, there are two main types of hybrid vehicles: the Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and the standard hybrids. The standard hybrid uses the internal combustion engine and regenerative braking to charge a battery pack, supplementing electric power.
Such hybrids don’t need direct charging. On the other hand, plug-in hybrids are similar to electric cars and require plugging into a charging station. PHEVs have larger electric batteries compared to the standard hybrid. They also can drive fully dependent on electric power.
Hybrids have lower battery ranges than all-electric cars and their electric nature is designed to supplement gasoline driving to maximize the car’s fuel efficiency. Some hybrids offer an electric-only driving option but with short ranges and at low speeds.
Hybrids are an intermediary option that customers try out while they still have their doubts about fully electric cars. They are also a slower transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources. They are great for city commuting as they draw power from the electric motor while driving below certain speeds.
Hybrid vs. Electric — Pros & Cons
The battle between hybrids and electric cars may last longer as both serve different ends of the electrification spectrum. Hybrids are similar to conventional cars with less hassle. They are entirely dependent on gasoline and only derive electricity by harnessing excess engine power and brake regeneration.
As for electric cars, the batteries need a regular charge. Most EV owners install the charging system at home and do so overnight. For those without a charging port at home, they can easily access supercharging stations during their commute or at work if there’s one within the premises. If you mainly use your EV for city commuting you’re good to go but if you’re considering long trips, better have a conventional vehicle for that.
Hybrid Vehicle Pros & Cons
Pros
- No need for charging
- Gas propulsion means you can go anywhere without range anxiety
- Can be your only car
- Inexpensive to buy
Cons
- Not as energy-efficient as an electric car
- Need to change oil and look after the engine
- Lacks an EV’s drive-away smoothness and silence
- Initial acceleration feels weak by comparison
Electric Vehicle Pros & Cons
Pros
- Zero tailpipe emissions
- Smooth, immediate, and quiet acceleration with no shifting
- Little regular upkeep apart from tires and wipers
- Per-mile electricity costs less than gasoline
- No need to stop at gas stations
Cons
- Range anxiety is a concern because it takes time to recharge
- You must plug it in (and may need a 240-volt home station)
- Difficult for renters to manage to charge
- Long trips require finding fast-charging stations
- More expensive to buy
Things To Consider Before Buying An Electric Car
If it’s your first time buying a car with alternative energy, the options can be confusing. Now that electric cars are dominating the industry, consumer interest is growing with it. By 2025, it is now expected that electric cars will account for more than 30% of vehicles sold globally. With that in mind, here are five things to consider before buying an electric or car.
Driving Range
The biggest issue with electric cars is the driving range. Most people still have doubts and worry about battery charge running out before they reach the next charging station. Tesla on the other hand addresses this issue with the longest driving range in their models.
Tesla Model S has the longest driving range of 335 miles. That’s long enough for a daily commute and you have access to supercharging stations if you need to recharge. There are other electric cars with a good driving range such as the Nissan leaf (151 miles),
Chevy Bolt (238 miles), Hyundai Ioniq (124 miles), and of course, other Tesla models 3 and X (300 miles).
Battery Life
All-electric cars are ridiculously expensive due to the cost of the batteries. Lithium-ion batteries account for a third of the EV’s high price tag. While manufacturers are still working on introducing cheaper batteries, replacing the batteries is prohibitively expensive.
For a standard battery pack, it will cost you more than $5000 depending on the electric vehicle you own. With improvements and technological advancement, it’s hard to predict how long an EV battery can last. While most manufacturers swear that their batteries will survive beyond 500,000 miles or outlive the electric car, note that battery change is required after 150,000. Similar to laptop or smartphone batteries, all batteries degrade after a while.
You’ll notice that your car battery charge doesn’t last you as long as before and needs plugging in after a short distance. Until you replace the battery, the problem will deteriorate over time. To protect yourself, you can buy an extended warranty to cover you beyond the factory warranty and cater for the replacement cost.
Charging Stations
As mentioned above, charging stations are the biggest threat to electric cars. Manufacturers are working towards mushrooming more supercharging stations but it might take a while. For Tesla owners, supercharging stations are readily available. Unfortunately, most other EVs are not compatible with the plugging stations and suffer for it.
In the meantime, for major metropolitan commutes, this is not a major concern. You can also opt to put up a charging station in your home but the running cost is not cheap. It probably will cost you more than $2000. Also, remember to consider the monthly electricity bills. If possible, you can install a reliable solar system but will cost you more than $10,000 for the whole installation process.
Rebates and Tax Credits
At the moment, the federal government encourages citizens to use electric vehicles and offers subsidiaries up to $7,500 in efforts to minimize carbon emissions and global
warming. However, your current state location will determine whether you qualify or not. Each state offers individual incentives while others don’t.
Check around to enjoy the benefits, rebates, and tax credit that helps you save thousands of dollars. For these reasons, it is important to check the available financial incentives when you are considering buying an electric vehicle.
Technology
All-electric cars are equipped with modern technology and need regular updates. Some brands such as Tesla, strive to be the best in the industry, and their technology upgrades regularly. As a bonus, they upgrade the technology automatically and cost the owners nothing.
On the other hand, other auto manufacturers keep requesting the owners to upgrade the technology and charge them for the services. Unfortunately, if you choose to ignore the upgrades, your EV may not run smoothly. Make sure to inquire about the technology upgrades and their cost before signing any contract.