Electric vehicles were considered something from a distant future but now the need for them is higher than ever.

A vehicle powered by an electrical motor(s) and rechargeable batteries are considered to be an electric vehicle. The shift from gas-powered cars to electric cars has been rather gradual over the last few years for an average customer. However, fast forward to 2018, electric vehicles are more affordable than ever. A good example of this would be the Nissan Leaf, one of the most popular consumer-grade electric vehicle. But is the change from internal combustion cars to fully battery powered cars really worth it? Opinions seem to vary on this statement.

While many consider electric cars to be ‘green’ or ‘environmentally friendly’, others argue that the electricity these vehicles use is mostly supplied by coal which is one of the major causes of pollution.  To find an answer to this, we need to understand the difference in fuel consumption of both types of vehicles. A typical gas/diesel powered car would, on average, waste one-third of its total power in the form of waste gases from the exhaust.

Comparing this to an average EV with power waste which is 85% less than a normal gas vehicle, the difference is quite clear. The primary benefit is the virtual elimination of wasted heat energy common to all ICE – internal combustion engines. A nifty feature of EVs: they regain energy when going downhill or braking whereas an ICE still uses gasoline.

Global warming endangers our health and threatens other basic human needs. The drastic negative effects of climate change have heralded the dawn of electric vehicles, which do not use gas and have virtually zero exhaust emissions. Global warming endangers our health and some effects such as record high temperatures, rising seas, severe flooding, and droughts are already increasingly common. Burning fossil fuels to power our vehicles give off Carbon Dioxide emissions, which is the leading cause of global warming.

Gas vehicles account for nearly one-fifth of all global emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases for every gallon of gas used. About 5 pounds comes from the extraction and refinement of the fuel while most of the emissions (more than 18 pounds per gallon) comes right out of a car’s exhaust. According to www.fueleconomy.gov, EVs are three times as efficient as internal combustion engine cars.

A gas-powered car usually costs $1300 a year just for fuel. On the other hand, an EV costs around $500 a year for fuel. Furthermore, an EV eliminates the need for maintenance of many parts e.g. engine filter, engine oil, air filter, and often there is no need for a transmission fluid. On an average EV, the maintenance cost is only associated with batteries (every 4 to 8 years) and brake fluid change. Many EVs are available for lease for less than $240 a month which is an extremely good deal for a vehicle. Pat Davis, Program Manager at US Department of Energy (DoE) said,

“We’re supporting electrification to counteract petroleum dependence and greenhouse gas emissions.”

Due to high oil prices, the future for electric vehicles is brighter than ever. Plummeting battery prices, longer-range models, and more charging stations are driving forward electric vehicle sales. The research of an Industry expert, called Navigant, also forecasted a strong EV growth in 2016 as new, longer range models entered the market and more charging stations were installed. According to www.insideevs.com, in the first two months of 2016, EV sales increased by up to 9 percent compared to the same time last year.

Tom Turrentine, the Director of the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Research Center at the University of California explained the issue people have with these vehicles in the following words:

“People have had an image of electric vehicles as sort of wimpy. That image of them being underpowered will probably shift because they aren’t.”

The end of the age of the gas-powered vehicles is in sight. There are noticeable signs everywhere. The shift to hybrid vehicles is already underway among many of the manufacturers. The shift to eco-friendly vehicles is going to have a major positive impact on the deteriorating environment of the world. Major companies are already making the technology for EVs cheaper and better than ever. It’s about time we start thinking of making the transition.