Cons about electric cars that you didn’t know

Interest in electric cars has grown exponentially over the past few years, and it’s easy to see why. However, all this excitement leads to one big question are electric vehicles great? And if they are, what are the pros and cons of these environmentally-friendly vehicles? Let’s explore some pros and cons about electric cars so you can make an informed decision before making your next car purchase!

Pros and Cons of electric cars on the environment

Electric cars have been marketed as being environmentally friendly. And while they emit fewer greenhouse gases than gasoline cars, they still have a significant environmental impact in different ways. Electric car batteries contain toxic chemicals like nickel, lead, lithium, cobalt and copper, making recycling them expensive. Recycling lithium-ion batteries can cost up to $500 per kilogram (or about 2 pounds). Some estimates put it at $2000 per kilogram because these materials are difficult to extract.

The energy required for manufacturing electric cars is also extremely high: The average amount of energy used to produce one gallon of gasoline is around 30 kWh; whereas creating one-kilowatt hour’s worth of electricity requires 0.037 kWh – but only 25% of the total energy used in making a conventional car comes from manufacturing alone. Since there’s so much more work involved in producing one unit of electricity versus one team of fuel for traditional vehicles, some studies show that electric cars use more fossil fuels than petrol-driven ones during their lifespan.

Electric cars cons

As electric vehicles become more popular, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of electric vehicles on the environment. Here are some of the potential cons of electric cars:

• They could increase carbon emissions if the electricity used to charge them comes from coal-fired power plants.
• Electric vehicles could also lead to increased traffic congestion and accidents, as they would require more infrastructure (charging stations) and would likely be driven more often than traditional gasoline cars.
• The batteries used in electric cars are expensive, and disposing of them adequately can be difficult.
• Electric cars can take longer to charge than refueling a gasoline car, leading to longer wait times at charging stations.
• Tesla cars are prone to fires due to their design and how their lithium-ion battery operates.
• The cost of purchasing an electric car is higher than buying a gas-powered one. Still, there are rebates for purchasing specific models that offset this difference for drivers who live in places like California, where there is already a high tax on gasoline vehicles.
• Many people don’t like that most electric cars still use fossil fuels for their internal combustion engines, even though they do not burn any energy directly.

Let’s discuss in detail electric cars’ cons. 

Range

One of the big cons of electric cars is their range. If you’re planning on using your vehicle for long-distance travel, an electric car might not be for you. Even the longest-range electric vehicles with multiple electric motors can only travel about 500 miles on a single charge, while a gas car can quickly go 750 miles or more on a gas tank. That means that if you’re driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco, you’ll need to stop at least once to recharge your battery. And if you’re moving across the country, you’ll need to plan your route carefully to ensure you can find charging stations. Plus, there’s no guarantee that charging stations will be available where you want to go. While many major cities and airports now have electric vehicle charging infrastructure, some rural areas still don’t have access to these resources. The installation of charging stations isn’t always cheap either.

Reliability issues

One of the biggest cons of electric cars is that they’re simply not as reliable as gasoline-powered vehicles. Electric cars have many more components than traditional cars, which can cause significant problems if anyone fails. For example, if the battery dies, the car won’t run at all. And even if the battery is working, it might not have enough power to get you very far. That’s why many people still choose gas-powered cars over electric ones. But when an electric vehicle does work well, there are some pros to electric cars also. Electric cars produce zero emissions, meaning there’s no pollution in your neighborhood or the air around you. They also don’t make a noise like gas-powered cars do (which is excellent for people who live in busy areas). They have better torque than gasoline engines because their motors provide instant acceleration from a standstill. So what should you do? If an electric car fits your needs and budget, go for it! But if not, then stay with what works best for you: a hybrid or a diesel engine vehicle.

Not eco-friendly if power comes from conventional energies

If electric cars are powered by electricity from coal-burning plants, then they’re not much better for the environment than gasoline cars. They may even be worse considering greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicles release emissions during manufacturing and generate electricity to charge them. And while electric cars don’t produce tailpipe emissions, power plants do. So, the pros and cons of an electric vehicle on the environment depend on how clean the electricity powers them.

Batteries tend to degrade over t.ime

Batteries are one of the essential parts of an electric car – unfortunately, they tend to degrade over time. Your car’s range will slowly decrease, and you’ll have to charge it more often. Additionally, batteries are expensive to replace, so this can be a high cost down the line. Other drawbacks include not carrying as many passengers or cargo as an internal combustion engine vehicle, the inability to perform heavy-duty tasks like plowing snow or transporting large equipment, and less ground clearance for off-road driving.

Electric cars also aren’t for everyone: Many electric cars are not cheap. They’re costly compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars and require home installation of charging equipment and public charging stations.

In addition, while electric cars produce zero emissions on the road, they do have emissions during production (primarily due to their battery packs). If these vehicles were powered by renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels, this would not be a problem – but in today’s world, they aren’t which may increase the carbon footprint.

Expensive replacement parts

Yes, electric cars have pros and cons. You don’t have to pay for gas like a traditional gas powered car, but you will have to pay for expensive replacement parts. The cost of electric car batteries can be so high that it negates any savings from not buying gas. You might also have to pay more for insurance and registration fees. Electric cars may also not be as durable or long-lasting as gasoline-powered vehicles. Electric cars’ pros and cons these factors make electric vehicles an expensive option to consider over gasoline-powered vehicles. Several electric cars’ pros and cons exist when considering this type of vehicle. If a person drives less than 20 miles per day on average, then they could benefit from owning an electric car due to the lower costs associated with running it.

However, electric car cons before deciding on purchasing one, always consider whether your daily commute is within this range or if you travel long distances every day. If your driving habits exceed what is considered average for an electric vehicle driver, then purchasing one would likely not be in your best interest because, in addition to the other considerations above, there is also the issue of limited battery life. These electric cars’ pros and cons should help you decide whether an electric vehicle is right for you.

Charging Takes much longer.

Electric car charging times can range from 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending on the type of charger you have. That’s a lot longer than it takes to fill up a gas tank! Regardless if it’s a petrol or diesel car (petrol or diesel engine). And if you’re driving long distances, you’ll need to plan and ensure you have enough time to charge up. Electric car battery capacity is much smaller than gasoline, so your mileage will be significantly less. The big question is: do the benefits outweigh these drawbacks?  Not to include you need to find a charging station which aren’t readily available as gas stations are.

The electricity cost varies based on where you live, but according to studies, this may not be a significant drawback when looking at a total cost of ownership over five years or more. Also, with advancements in renewable energy sources and innovations in green technologies (think solar panels), electric cars will soon no longer require electricity from coal-powered plants that harm our environment.

Final Verdict on Electric Cars:

Modern electric cars are very different from conventional internal combustion vehicles and may be the way of the future, but today, they’re not exactly all great. Many electric cars are still in their infancy and have a long way to go. The disadvantages of electric mentioned above go beyond just the car you also need to consider electric vehicle charging stations and the locations of these across the country. Electric vehicles are definitely improving in their technology, and with the advancement of solar panels, there is a way forward. Next time you are considering purchasing electric cars remember that there are several factors you should consider.

If you’re able to get tax credits for your electric vehicle, then you should consider that in the total price you pay. Although the carbon footprint isn’t a big improvement yet, the battery technology is being improved upon. With more charging stations popping up all over the country, finding an electric car charging station should become easier over time, and may see many more over time – probably not as many as gas stations, but you may see a hybrid of a charging station and a gas station.