Every year our automobile technology improves and driving seems to become more affordable. This is particularly true of electric vehicles right now as so many car companies are focusing on becoming more environmentally friendly. Electric cars are the future of the industry, and consumer demand for them is rapidly growing. Drivers are also learning that electric power does less damage to both the environment and their budget. Low mileage drivers, who are already saving money on fuel costs, often want to know if the economics also work for them. So, let’s discuss electric cars and why a low mileage driver should buy one!
Why Buy an Electric Car?
Electric cars seem to be everywhere you look these days. They are becoming far more common on the road, and companies like Tesla have become a household name. So, why exactly are electric cars suddenly so popular?
Many drivers these days are feeling the pressure to reduce their carbon footprint. One of the easier ways to do this is to eliminate the emissions your traditional, gas-powered vehicle releases into the air every time you drive it. Other drivers may be looking for ways to save money, and there is no doubt that electricity is far less expensive than gasoline.
While low mileage drivers are already contributing less to pollution and are spending far less on gas, it makes sense that many of them are also likely to want to switch to electric.
Advantages of Buying an Electric Car
Electric vehicles wouldn’t be gaining in popularity if there weren’t some remarkable advantages. Of course, the most immediately obvious benefit to an EV is the environmental impact versus a traditional gas-powered vehicle. Only a minimum amount of fossil fuels are involved in supplying battery power to the vehicle. You can reduce this amount even further if you already use solar energy at your home (or wherever you choose to charge the car).
Electric vehicles can also save drivers a lot of money over time. While the upfront price you get at the dealership can be shocking to many first-time EV buyers, it doesn’t take long at all for the average driver to make up the difference. Also, state and federal programs offer tax rebates that can help make the initial, upfront costs much more manageable. Even low mileage drivers will typically be able to make back the extra cost of the electric vehicle in about three years, and the savings continue for the car’s life.
Electric cars are also simply more fun to drive than traditional models. The electric motor can respond much more quickly when you need more speed. This is because the electric motor is feeding directly into the drive train system. You will also find that EVs tend to be more comfortable driving thanks to their lighter design and low center of gravity. These same design features also make EVs some of the safest vehicles on the market for drivers and their passengers.
Disadvantages
The most immediately obvious disadvantage is the higher upfront price tag. Luxury models produced by companies like Tesla come with a hefty price tag compared to similar gasoline-powered cars on the road. Also, because Tesla holds such a significant place in the electric car market, the average price of an EV is still around $55,000 compared to a more affordable $35,000 average cost of gasoline-powered cars. While Tesla is a major player, several (much less expensive) models have come on the market in the past few years. EVs made by Kia, Nissan, and Chevy have lower price tags that are quite similar to the prices for the traditional cars sold by those same companies.
Another obvious disadvantage that EV owners can face is charging the batteries. While it is quite easy to hook up your power cord to a plug inside your garage at home, many city dwellers may not have access to an electrical source when they park their car for the night. Also, when you are away from home or off your usual route, it can be challenging to know where you can recharge your car. As time passes, this will likely become less of a concern. Even today, charging stations are becoming more and more common, including in small towns. Several apps are available that can make finding a charging station almost as easy as finding a gas pump.
Things to Consider When Deciding if an Electric Car Is Right for You
If you are considering making the switch to an electric car, there are several factors you will want to consider before making your purchase. These include:
Range
You will need to consider both the range of the electric battery and the average number of miles you regularly drive. Fortunately, low-mile drivers are highly unlikely to experience any concerns or be limited at all by the range of the battery. So-called “range anxiety” is almost a non-issue for low-mile drivers, but it’s starting to become less of a concern for everyone since today’s EVs can often run for 200 miles or more on each charge. However, no matter how many miles you typically drive each day or week, you need to be aware that highway driving uses more energy than driving on city streets. Weather can also have a significant impact on the battery’s range. Just running the heat in the winter can drop the car’s range by 40% or more!
Charging
Of course, having a plan for how to charge the vehicle must be a top priority. Do you have a garage or driveway with access to an electrical outlet? If you are parking in your garage each night, this might not be a concern, but if you live in an apartment and park on the street (or in a parking garage), you will need a plan in place for regularly charging the vehicle. The good news is that public chargers are available in more areas than ever. Public charging stations typically have Level 2 or Level 3 chargers that charge a low battery in 30 minutes – 4 hours. Of course, you have to know where these charging stations are, but thankfully there are websites and apps available to help you find the most convenient locations.
Maintenance
No matter what kind of car you drive, you will inevitably need occasional routine maintenance or repairs. The good news is that EVs require less routine maintenance than their gas-powered counterparts. Unfortunately, repairs typically cost more, but industry experts expect this to rapidly change over the next few years as these vehicles become more and more common. Also, repairs tend to be easier to complete because there are simply fewer components.
Length of Ownership
Before you purchase an EV, you will also want to consider how long you plan on owning the vehicle. Current lithium-ion batteries have an average life of around ten years. How many miles you drive the car each year might not have that big of an impact on this battery life since regular charging and exposure to the elements will all age your battery over time. Most manufacturers offer warranties on the battery that cover this ten-year life span. Once that ten-year period is up, the battery is much more likely to fail. Unfortunately, replacements for these batteries remain pretty expensive.
Conclusions
Electric cars are becoming increasingly common as more people decide to seek out more environmentally friendly transportation options. Low mileage drivers may find making this switch even easier as many of the common downsides to driving an EV can have less of an impact. There is no reason a low mileage driver cannot enjoy all the benefits of owning an electric car.