Just in case you don’t have the song in your head yet, here you go:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jBkoEM0SSE
While it is always a good thing for our dance moves to be electric, there is still a debate on if it is best for our car to be.
The pain at the pump is real. When gas prices begin to soar, it is natural for the interest in electric cars to soar as well. While the technology is not brand new, electric cars are still a big of a novelty, and there are plenty of questions around how they work and if they are a better investment than the tried and true gasoline vehicles.
As the saying goes, “No matter how thin the pancake, there are always two sides.” In this pancake situation, there is no absolute right or wrong around electric cars. There are simply facts to study and then decide what matters most as you make a car buying decision.
Hybrid vs. Electric
There are a variety of images that come to mind with the phrase “electric cars.” But, not all electric cars are the same. There are some key differences that are worth exploring.
A hybrid, as the name suggests, utilizes both fuel and electricity to get you where you want to go. They are powered by an internal combustion engine but also lean on one or more batteries for support. This allows the engine to shut down at stop lights, for example, which saves on overall gas consumption.
There are sometimes various batteries in a hybrid, firing up for different purposes in the vehicle–whether that is starting up or running some of the auxiliary functions. The different kinds of batteries and their purposes create a wide range of “refueling” options for the hybrid cars. While there are some hybrid cars that can be plugged in to fill the batteries, there are also several models that cannot be plugged in. The power from the engine charges the battery and energy is recovered during braking.
A fully electric car is just that, fully electric. It is powered by an electric engine which draws its power from rechargeable batteries. Just fill it up with juice, and you’re on your way.
Now you understand a little more about the spectrum of electric cars, let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros
Gas
Let’s get this one out of the way first–you’ll be able to laugh at all your friends paying way too much at the gas pump. An electric car, even a hybrid that uses some gas, will save plenty of money at the gas stations. Depending on how much you drive and the average price of gas, that could save $500-1000 a year!
Heal the World
Whether we like it or not, automobile emissions aren’t great for the environment. Biking to work/school/practice/dentist isn’t realistic for most Americans, so the car is necessary. An electric car doesn’t emit anything bad for the environment. The polar bears will thank you.
No More Oil Changes
While electric cars are a system that might not feel as familiar, some of those differences can save trouble. No more oil changes, for example. There are fewer belts and parts and all the things that turn fuel into energy. It’s a simpler design, which makes for simpler maintenance.
Pep in Your Step
While you don’t see many electric cars at the Daytona 500, electric cars have a decent amount of zoom. They are much lighter than their combustion counterparts and that helps them get up and go. The simplicity of the engine design also means they can rev up and get going faster. Unplug and have some fun!
Cons
It’s a Rich Man’s World
While there are some people who can make car purchasing decisions without considering the price tag at all, the majority of people have to factor in the price first and foremost. As with most new technology, prices can be very high. There might be sticker shock in electric or hybrid cars. While money will be saved down the road at gas stations, it can still be challenging to pay more money up front.
Luckily, hybrid and electric cars have been around long enough to create inventory at used car dealers in Salt Lake City and all over the country. Rebuilt title cars are another great option to make the initial purchase more comfortable for your budget.
Finding a Charging Station
There are approximately 150,000 gas stations in the United States of America. But, there are only about 113,000 charging stations. A fully charged electric car will go around 300 miles. It takes about 20 minutes to fully charge a battery. Long road trips will require a recharge, and that might take some planning if you are traveling into rural areas.
Variety. . . or Lack Thereof
The demand for electric cars is high. And yet, the manufacturing is not on the scale of the combustion car. They also simply haven’t been around for as long and so there won’t be as many used options on the market. You can find them, but it might take a bit more looking.
Cars have come a long way since Henry Ford started cranking out his black Model T’s. There is a rainbow of cars in style, shape, and color. But, for a long time, that was basically all that was different. Different engines had different levels of power, but they all worked basically the same way. That has changed, and that change could work well for you. It just takes some research and an open mind. As for the dancing, well, that is always a good idea.