Since the introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997, there has been a huge debate over whether the electric car was ever going to overtake its gas rivals. The outcome is inevitable now. Petrol and diesel are dying and electricity is the way forward. The question is – should you buy an electric car now? Here are eight reasons why you should.
Reduced Fuel Costs
One of the main reasons that consumers are put off buying an electric car is the up-front cost. Sure, they’re more expensive (in many cases) than a petrol or diesel car. But that’s not the full picture. The amount of money you will save on fuel costs will more than makeup for the initial cost. You do have to pay for the electricity to charge your car but it is considerably cheaper than gas. Just make sure you check out the Tesla charge time before you plan your trip.
Fewer Emissions
One of the great things about owning an electric car is that you’re doing your bit for the planet. First, your electric car will produce considerably fewer greenhouse gases than a gas-guzzling alternative. And secondly, by investing in an electric car, you are pushing the industry in the right direction. The more people buy electric cars, the more investment will go into improving them.
Instant Torque
When modern electric cars were first introduced, they couldn’t compete with normal cars on performance. However, now that electric motors are more advanced, they are not only competing, but they are also leaving them in their dust. The main reason for this is that electric motors deliver their maximum torque rating instantly. That means they can accelerate extremely quickly.
No Idling
Idling is one of the greatest wastes of fuel in a petrol or diesel vehicle. Electric vehicles don’t have this problem as they automatically switch off when the car is stationary. This saves you money, saves the planet, and keeps the car running for longer. Plus, the extra energy from the battery can keep the air con and radio working.
Tax Incentives
Governments around the world are offering tax incentives to encourage people to buy electric cars. This is part of a global push to a more environmentally-friendly future and is something that will probably happen more and more.
Improves Your Driving
Many hybrid or electric cars come with a driving tutor system that teaches you how to drive in a more economical way. Pay attention to this and you could see a big improvement to the standard of your driving.
High Resale Value
Because of the huge demand for electric cars, they have a much higher resale value than your average petrol or diesel car. You can expect to get a large part of your initial investment back when you sell your vehicle.
Speed
The last (and least obvious) reason to buy an electric car is speed. Of course, you need to pick the right model if you want to win a drag race against the petrol cars on the road. The Tesla Model 3 and Lotus Evija are two of the fastest electric cars on the market.
