Electrics are the future. In spite of this, not much is known about them – and what is known oftentimes results pretty confused. We’re here to the rescue!
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There are 2 types of electric cars
- Hybrid electric cars: they combine an electric propulsion system with a combustion engine one
- Fully electric cars: their batteries can last for about 500 km, according to the model. For instance, a Tesla S can work for 632 km, while a Nissan Leaf up to 387 km. When the battery is empty, they need time to be charged.
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Manufacturing electric cars still entails carbon emissions
True, electrics don’t produce carbon emissions when driven. But the same can’t be said about their manufacture. We still don’t have the required technology to produce lithium batteries in an eco-friendly way. Unluckily, charging an electric vehicle is also bad for the environment. That basically means that electrics are still somehow polluting. Yet, it’s still widely beneficial for the air quality in urban areas, and more and more governments are pushing for greeners solutions.
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Lithium batteries: renting or buying?
When you purchase an electric car, you’ll be required to choose either to rent or buy a lithium battery.
Certain car manufacturers, such as Renault, force you to pay a monthly bill and rent the battery. That way, if something bad happens, you won’t be responsible for the damage and you’ll be given an immediate replacement for your battery. Other companies, like Tesla, allow you to buy your own battery, granting you a warranty along with it.
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Saving money on the way
Electric cars can be a bit expensive, especially if you count the extra costs – like the battery rental. Yet, they’re more efficient and way easier to maintain.
Assuming that your electric car can travel three miles per kWh, the electric vehicle can travel about 43 miles for $1.00. By comparison, if the gas costs $2.50 per gallon, an average gasoline vehicle with a fuel efficiency of 22 miles per gallon will only be able to travel 10 miles for the same price. The distance traveled for a fuel cost of $1.00 is nearly four times as far as with an electric vehicle.
