ELECTRIC CAR VS GASOLINE CAR: IS AN EV REALLY BETTER THAN A GASOLINE CAR?

WHAT IS ELECTRIC VEHICLE?

An electric vehicle (EV) is one that runs on electricity rather than an internal-combustion engine, which generates power by burning a mixture of fuel and gases. As a result, such a vehicle is viewed as a potential replacement for current-generation automobiles in order to address issues such as rising pollution, global warming, depleting natural resources, and so on. Though the concept of electric vehicles has been around for a long time, it has gained a lot of attention in the last decade due to rising carbon footprints and other environmental impacts of fuel-based vehicles.

EVs can be classified into two categories: battery electric vehicles (BEVs) ang plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

PHEVs combine an electric motor with an internal combustion engine that can supply extra power, when necessary, while BEVs entirely rely on electric power.

It seems like electric vehicles are perfect as it looks but what if they are not!?

Article by : Rahul

These are a few reasons why electric vehicles are far preferable to those powered by gasoline.

SMALLER CARBON FOOTPRINT

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), a traditional gas-powered car rated at 22 miles per gallon emits an average of 4.6 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Depending on various factors like electricity source, battery usage, etc, the carbon footprint of an EV can be significantly lower than their predecessors. Furthermore, if the electric vehicle is charged with renewable energy, the carbon footprint will be even lower.

LOWER MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS / COSTS

EVs have far fewer moving parts than gas-powered vehicles. With fewer moving parts, there are fewer things that can break and need to be replaced. Another significant factor is that they do not require oil changes, which is one of the most common reasons for service calls. When compared to a conventional internal combustion vehicle, EV owners can expect to save money over the life of their vehicle.

In addition, when it comes to getting from point A to point B, electricity is far less expensive than gas. All such savings can quickly add up and, according to some research, amount to around $632 annually.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY / HIGH PERFORMANCE

According to the US Department of Energy, EVs are typically 60-70% more energy-efficient than gasoline-powered vehicles.

The fraction of energy used to accelerate the vehicle compared to the amount of energy produced by fuel combustion is used to calculate efficiency. Gasoline powered vehicles use Internal Combustion Engines which have efficiency ratings of only about 15%, This means that the majority of the energy produced by combustion is lost to the environment. Electric cars can achieve efficiencies of up to 70%, though this varies depending on the vehicle and driving speed. The average EVs are about 4 times more efficient than the average gasoline-powered car.

CONVENIENCE OF CHARGING (“FILLING UP”) AT HOME

Taking time out of your busy schedule to visit a petrol station and then queue up to fill the tank can be time consuming. You can recharge your electric car from your own home, at as little as $0.08 per kWh if you have a home charger. You can also use an app to pre-heat your car in the winter without leaving your house. Another advantage of EVs is that they are more spacious because they lack a large engine that occupies valuable space.

EXPLOSIVE TORQUE AVAILABLE FROM STANDSTILL

One major disadvantage of the petrol engine's working is that it produces maximum torque only at a specific RPM range. Because of its design, the torque produced by it begins at a very low value, rises to its peak, and afterwards decreases as the RPMs increase.

In the case of electric vehicles, they produce their maximum torque output right away. That means you can access the entire torque output from a complete stop. Due to the phenomenon of back EMF, it only begins to decrease as you approach the upper RPM range. The transmission is the only component that connects the wheels to the motor in an electric vehicle. As a result, they produce extremely high torque while facing negligible output loss.

Of course, being the finest of its kind but every technology as small as nanotech to large powerful space technologies like rockets may have some drawbacks, so do the EVs.

RECHARGE POINTS

The number of charging stations available to you depends on where you live; some areas have plenty of charging stations, while others may take a little longer to find a charging station.

For many people who charge at home every night and don't need access to other charges on a regular basis, this is a minor concern.

CHARGING TAKES LONGER

Fueling an all-electric vehicle can also be difficult. A Level 1 (120 volts) or Level 2 (240 volts) charger can take up to 8 hours to fully charge the battery pack, and even fast charging stations take 30 minutes to charge to 80% capacity. Drivers of electric vehicles must plan more carefully because running out of power cannot be solved by a quick stop at the gas pump.

THE DRIVING RANGE ON A FULL CHARGE

On average, an electric vehicle has a shorter range than a gas-powered car, with most of them only having a usable range of about 300-350 kilometers from 100% battery, and that is only when driven conservatively. In comparison, a gas-powered vehicle will travel approximately 400 kilometers on a full tank of gas, and more fuel-efficient vehicles will travel much further. If you frequently take long trips, this may be an issue when considering electric vehicles. The availability of charging stations may make electric vehicles less suitable for activities such as road trips.

BATTERY REPLACEMENT IS EXPENSIVE

Batteries are the heart of an EV, storing electricity and powering the vehicle to make it run. As a result, batteries are one of the most expensive components of an EV. While it is rare, batteries can fail or require repairs, the cost of which can be quite high depending on the damage and the model. For example, the cost to replace the battery in a Tesla Model S or Model X can range from $5,500 to $16,000.

EVs CAUSE POLLUTION AND E-WASTE

Although electric vehicles do not emit tailpipe emissions, they still do contribute to emissions.

When EVs are manufactured, harmful gases are released. They also use unsustainable materials and extraction methods to gain access to these materials.

EVs may also get their energy from a power supply that runs on fossil fuels, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

Another source of emissions is the batteries: lithium-ion batteries, which consume a lot of energy and raw materials. And there is no fully sustainable method of recycling these batteries yet, though there are ways to repurpose these batteries once they are no longer useful for electric vehicles.

ARE ELECTRIC CARS BETTER THAN GAS POWERED CARS?

Certainly, for some. Others, perhaps not so much. It is entirely dependent on your unique situation and requirements. EVs have several advantages over their internal combustion counterparts, including lower lifetime operating costs, the convenience of 'filling up' at home, and a lower environmental impact (in most cases). Overall happiness with EVs seems to revolve around four factors: vehicle range, charging station availability, driving enjoyment, and lower lifetime operating costs.

We recommend that you consider the above pros and cons while making your decision. Many of the current drawbacks of EV ownership are becoming less onerous as the technology matures and EVs become more user-friendly. If you think an EV would fit your lifestyle, you'll probably be happy with your purchase!!