11 Wrong Reasons People Don't Buy Electric Cars

Perhaps It’s Time to Consider an Electric Car

Even though electric cars are receiving more positive attention and becoming more common, adoption is slow. This is typical of any new technology. It’s due in part to the fact that people don’t trust electric vehicle (EV) technology and have many doubts. In fact, there are still many people who simply don’t think EVs can ever replace gas cars. While many automakers are making strides in electrification, it seems most aren’t ready to transition just yet. 

There are some obvious reasons the public isn’t buying into EVs, such as upfront costs, lack of availability, and range anxiety. However, many myths have clouded the segment for some time now. Some of these myths may be somewhat valid in certain circumstances or may have been true in the past, but times are changing and technology has improved drastically since EVs first entered the market.

Currently, EVs comprise less than 2% of the automotive market in the U.S. This means it will be many years before adoption is widespread. However, with a multitude of automakers bringing electrified vehicles to market in the near future, growth is accelerating more rapidly. Over time, with more electric vehicles available, increased charging infrastructure deployment, and reduced production and battery costs, the EV segment should begin to prosper.

Keep reading to learn why many of the arguments against EVs aren’t necessarily valid, and to see whether an electric car would be a good choice for you – either now, or in the future.

Range Anxiety

One of the main concerns for EV buyers is range. Few electric cars can match the range of most gas-powered vehicles.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) like the Chevrolet Volt, Prius Prime, and Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid are the best choices if range is a concern. They offer a certain amount of pure-electric range, along with a gas-powered engine for range extension. Some PHEVs actually have more overall range than traditional cars due to efficiency and multiple powertrains.

With that said, range is growing for fully electric vehicles. Most current EVs offer more than enough range to cover the average driver’s daily commute and responsibilities. The Nissan Leaf is rated at up to 226 miles, the Chevrolet Bolt has a 259-mile range, the Hyundai Kona Electric offers 258 miles, and all Tesla vehicles eclipse 300 miles on a full charge. The Tesla Model S Long Range just achieved an EPA-estimated 402 miles of range, which far exceeds every EV to date. It should be noted that, in some cases, you have to choose a higher trim level to get the most range.

Slow Charging Times

It takes longer to charge an EV than it does to pump gas, but charging times are decreasing as charging technology improves. In addition, if you charge at home overnight, it’s as simple as plugging in before you sleep and unplugging in the morning. That means no more trips to the gas station and no more smelly hands or toxic fumes. 

If you must charge on the road, charging speeds vary widely, and depend on both the vehicle and the charger. Typically, EV chargers are located on common travel routes in areas where you can have a meal or shop while you wait, and you don’t need to stay with the vehicle while it charges. Thanks to the latest public fast-charging technology, some electric cars can add hundreds of miles in just 15 to 20 minutes.

High Prices

Electric cars are frequently more expensive up front than comparable gas-powered vehicles. “Sticker shock” can turn shoppers away from EVs, especially since initial prices are more widely considered than the overall cost to own.

Electricity is much cheaper than gas, and EVs are highly efficient, so it will cost you much less per mile to drive an electric car. EVs also require very little maintenance. There are fewer moving parts, and virtually no fluids to change. Moreover, electric motors tend to work for a very long time without any routine upkeep. For example, the Chevrolet Bolt requires almost zero maintenance for the first 150,000 miles.

In addition to saving money on gas and service, most electric vehicles qualify for a tax rebate of up to $7,500 from the U.S. government. If you factor in these savings over the life of the vehicle, EVs may not be more expensive to own.

The tax credit will eventually disappear, but battery prices are dropping. Additionally, when automakers begin to make EVs in greater volume, production costs will eventually decline to reach price parity with traditional vehicles.

You can also consider a gently used electric car. Electric car depreciation is fairly high right now, so used electric cars are generally inexpensive.

Batteries Will Wear Out

Most all-electric models haven’t been around long enough to rack up an excessive amount of miles, and there are many complex variables related to battery degradation.

Nonetheless, an ongoing study of Tesla vehicles shows that after 150,000 miles, most batteries have lost only 8% of their capacity. At this rate, these batteries could retain 80% capacity at 500,000 miles and potentially last well over one million miles. The average lifespan of a gas car is about 140,000 miles.

Fire Hazard

Due to a handful of highly publicized electric vehicle crashes that resulted in fires, some people believe EVs are a fire hazard. However, every day there are countless vehicle fires from crashes involving gas cars, but few make the news since it’s so common. 

The batteries used in EVs are the same lithium-ion variety found in laptops and cell phones. While there is always a chance any electronic device could catch fire, how often do we worry about our laptops or mobile devices spontaneously combusting? On the other hand, you’d better bet most people are careful when it comes to gasoline due to its highly flammable properties and the potential for a fire hazard.

Subpar Performance

When electrified vehicles first came to market, some people jokingly compared them to golf carts. This is because efficiency was more important than performance. Let’s face it: the Toyota Prius and first-gen Nissan Leaf aren’t speed demons. In addition, they’re small cars with arguably polarizing exteriors.

Today’s EVs are much more advanced, and it’s becoming more common to find EV powertrains in sporty cars and SUVs. Their electric propulsion systems provide instant torque and impressive zero-to-60-mph times, which is a metric you will certainly notice in daily driving. Tesla’s vehicles can easily outrun most gas-powered supercars, and for a lower price. While many electric cars still don’t offer top speeds comparable to gas cars, unless you’re breaking the law, you probably won’t notice.

Lack of Availability

Not all dealerships sell electric vehicles, especially in certain states. Some electric cars are only available in California or other California Air Resources Board (CARB) states. However, nationwide EV availability is growing, and many dealerships can order an EV for you, regardless of its availability in your area. The most popular fully electric vehicles in the U.S. (the Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, and all Tesla vehicles) are available in most states, if not all.

Lack of Service Centers

If your local dealership doesn’t stock EVs, there’s a chance it’s not certified to fix them. However, automakers like GM, Ford, and Nissan will service your electric vehicle at nearly any dealership nationwide. Tesla will send a repair technician to your home if there’s not a service center in the area. Since EVs require considerably less maintenance than traditional cars, this shouldn’t be a major issue for most owners. As more EVs take to our roadways, automakers will have to ramp up efforts to assure that people can get them serviced conveniently.

Lack of Charging Infrastructure

Just a few years ago, EV charging infrastructure was sparse. However, thanks to many companies’ efforts, it’s expanding regularly. In some areas, such as California and other CARB states, public chargers are more plentiful. In other areas, this is not the case, though charging stations are becoming much more common on major road-trip routes throughout the country. The good news is that many employers, as well as hotels, businesses, and even gas stations, are installing chargers too.

If you charge at home, you can drive an electric car without much need for public chargers. On longer road trips, you can generally find a route with enough chargers in convenient locations to keep you juiced up. If you find that public chargers are unavailable in the areas you frequently travel, consider a plug-in hybrid, which has a backup gasoline engine.

High Electric Bill

Electricity prices vary widely from state to state. Still, paying for electricity, even in the most expensive states, is over 50% cheaper than paying for gasoline. If you charge a short-range EV or a plug-in hybrid at home, you may not even notice the marginal increase to your electric bill. A long-range electric vehicle will cost you more to charge, but it’s still no comparison to the price of gas – even when gas prices are at record lows. According to the EPA, charging an EV like the Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, or Tesla Model 3 only costs about $500 per year. You could save $4,000 over five years if you choose an electric car instead of a gas-powered model.

 

Limited Cargo Capacity

Some electric cars have reduced cargo space due to the placement of their battery pack. This was especially true of earlier models when the battery was retrofitted into an existing car platform. 

Today, most automakers have moved to a new architecture specifically designed to accommodate batteries. “Skateboard” style battery packs fit beneath the car’s floor, freeing up capacity. In fact, due to this design, Tesla vehicles have two trunks, and both the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf offer more cargo space than many gas-only competitors.

  

Reference: US news Cars article by Steven Loveday