Many of us across the country, and indeed the world, are looking at ways we can reduce our carbon footprint and do our bit to save the planet.
We’ve integrated reusable items into our everyday lives, such as reusable water bottles and coffee cups, to less harmful cleaning chemicals and recyclable plastic items. We’ve upped our efforts to recycle, reduce our one-use plastic items, and sell and buy second-hand clothing on sites such as Vinted.
Some have gone the extra mile by trading in their gas-powered cars, replacing them with hybrid and electric vehicles (EV) instead, all in aid of saving our planet.
So, should we all own electric cars in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and do our bit in saving the world we live in? To answer this question, let’s look at the pros and cons of going all-electric and/or hybrid.
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Pro – Quiet
Not only do electric cars do their part in reducing the carbon emissions when you drive through town and across the country, but electric cars are practically silent, meaning noise pollution is also reduced.
Will the days of people living close to highways and busy main roads, being kept up by the hum of the cars and vehicles driving be a thing of the past? Thanks to electric vehicles, it soon could be.
Electric cars are that quiet, there’s a dedicated government department looking at ways they can introduce a sound to the cars to indicate to pedestrians that an electric car is approaching – this will help those with visual impairments cross the street safely.
Con – Charge times
If you own a fully electric car, going to the gas station will be a thing of the past. However, nothing will ever replace the quick timeframe in which it takes to refill a vehicle with gas. Therefore, charging your electric vehicle will seem a lot slower.
Plus, charging times vary from model to model, as well as differentcharging stations, as there’s a variety that offer charge, fast charge and rapid charge.
A rapid charger can typically provide your battery with 60 – 200 miles in up to 30 minutes’ worth of charging time. However, many EV owners prefer to plug in their vehicles overnight, and say this provides them with enough range for day-to-day use.
Pro – Save money
Although electric vehicles are more expensive to purchase than gas-powered cars at the moment, owning an EV is cheaper in the long run. With gas not being needed, you instantly save on your usual gas outgoings. Plus, electricity is cheaper than gas.
Insurance at the moment is a little higher than gas-powered car insurance, but it does come with some perks, including environmentally friendly discounts – take a look at how to insure your electric car here.
When it comes to the maintenance of your EV, as there are fewer moving parts than gas-powered, there’s less of a need for belts and fluid changes as well as other parts typically needing to be fixed within a gas-powered vehicles’ lifetime.
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These are just three of the pros and cons of owning an EV – but ultimately, how you decide to do your bit for the planet is up to you.
