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10 Things You Might Not Know About EVs

solar-powered evs

10 Things You Might Not Know About EVs

Electric vehicles have become more common on the roads today for good reasons. A combination of low costs and eco-friendly operation is behind the growing EV uptake. Still, much bad information on electric vehicles exists, which we hope to dispel today.

If you’re a recent convert to EVs or simply curious, let’s look at ten things you might not have known about them. Some are surprising facts, and others you might have heard in passing. That said, EVs are here to stay for now, so you might as well learn all you can regarding them.

10. Lower Maintenance Requirements

One surprising thing about EVs is they’re low-maintenance machines. It does make sense when you get down to brass tacks, however. As a new EV owner, you’ll worry less about maintenance. You’ll still have tire changes because rubber does wear down over time. The engine itself needs next to no care, however. The same goes for the battery, provided you monitor its health.

The most common maintenance you’ll expect with an EV is the brakes. Now, you’ll be experiencing less wear and tear on the pads and rotors of your brakes, thanks to regenerative braking. You will have to service them on occasion, however. Tesla recommends calibrating the calipers, for example, one every twelve months in areas with road salt. Maintenance requirements will vary by vehicle, so you’ll want to check your EV’s manual to determine what regular intervals are needed.

9. More Fuel Efficient

Now, EVs don’t necessarily use traditional fuel sources. Most EVs you’ll find on the road derive their fuel source directly from the electrical grid, as you would expect. What is most surprising about the powertrain is the overall efficiency of it, even in older EVs. According to the US Department of Energy, your average EV converts over 77% of the electricity from the grid into actionable power for driving purposes.

Contrast that to the 12 to 30% of conventional gas or diesel-powered vehicles. Despite being a far older technology, EVs are far more fuel efficient. You won’t run to the pump regularly with an EV, but you will get far more bang for your buck every time you plug it up. This is a massive boon even when considering the overall cost of electricity. So you’re not only getting a cheaper and cleaner fuel source, but it is going much further on the equivalent of a full tank.

8. Regenerative Braking

EV owners can practice one-pedal driving, meaning you only use the acceleration pedal for the primary driving experience. This is thanks to regenerative braking, which doesn’t use your brake pads. Instead, regenerative braking is the engine itself regulating the speed and braking of the vehicle. It also has the added benefit of restoring bits of power to your vehicle when using higher settings.

Regenerative braking is one of the fun benefits of being an EV owner. Gasoline-powered cars aren’t returning fumes to the tank during normal usage, but you can coax some extra miles out of your EV easily. This returns to fuel efficiency too,

7. Charging at Home

How to install Tesla Wall charger

Electric cars have become increasingly popular since the introduction of Tesla, now there are many charging stations, even from home.

With gasoline-powered vehicles, you only get fuel at gas stations. This has been the standard way since the Model T gained prominence. However, this isn’t the case with an electric vehicle. Some EVs even default with a home charger as the default package. Now, you can debate the efficacy of your packaged home charger all day long. The simple fact remains that you can charge and power your car at home.

What about the electrical costs? On average, your electricity bill may increase by $40 to $50 a month, depending on the electricity costs in your location. When considering budgeting for gas every week, especially with gas prices still hovering around $3 or more a gallon, it comes out far cheaper. So, you get the added benefit of charging at home, but it will cost less a month than it takes to fuel a vehicle weekly.

6. Transmission Differences

EVs don’t have multi-speed transmissions. Gasoline-powered vehicles have multi-speed transmissions, mostly because the engine has to generate a certain amount of torque to fit within a gear. This has been the usual method of operating since its inception. An internal combustion engine can have an automatic or manual transmission.

EVs differ in this regard because power is delivered instantly. When you press the accelerator, the vehicle will move. As such, there isn’t that split-second lag time when switching gears. Instead, an EV has one continuous gear. Now, the motorheads in the audience might worry about power. EVs can be far more powerful thanks to zippy acceleration and constant power delivery to the drivetrain.

5. Running Noise

Another difference is in noise pollution. Electric vehicles are unerringly quiet, and some manufacturers have resorted to adding digital engine noises to let you know the car is running. The National Highway Transit Safety Authority now requires manufacturers to add noise to aid pedestrians.

Gasoline-powered cars are loud, which is mostly down to the exhaust system. Since internal combustion is a literal controlled explosion, there is, of course going to be some noise. But the difference in noise levels is shocking. EVs will be required to make around 45 to 60 decibels going forward, which is a fraction of the noise made by a gasoline-powered car.

4. Battery Longevity

The Truth About How Long EV Batteries Last

A study published by Bloomberg New Energy Finance in 2016, battery prices had fallen 65% since 2010.

The lithium-ion battery packs that power most EVs have been a point of contention for detractors. Now, the cost is certainly something to consider. Li-Ion batteries are generally more expensive than lead-acid batteries that power most electronic systems in gasoline-powered cars. EV batteries will degrade over time, but at a far lower rate than expected.

The US Department of Energy estimates the longevity of a battery pack is 12 to 15 years. Now, the cost of replacing the battery might be eye-watering. You get an estimated 200,000 miles before serious degradation sets in. Again, this depends on your usage. Some EV users have racked up 200,000 miles with their EV battery packs still at 90% charge capacity.

3. Explosive Market Growth

Since EVs have become more affordable, they have experienced explosive growth. 2023 is expected to see a 10% increase in sales or around $561.3 billion. In 2022, the estimated number of EVs on the round was about 600,000. 2023 saw EVs carve out 1% of the total number of vehicles on American roads, over 2 million cars. By 2030, the number of EVs on the roads could reach 30 million.

2. Insurance Costs

ev vs regular car insurance

Insurance for an electric car may cost more than insurance for a regular gas-powered car.

It’s not all rosy for EV owners. Insuring an EV typically costs more than a gas-powered vehicle, thanks partly to the generally higher EV prices. However, you are still likely to spend less per month while paying higher insurance premiums every month with an EV. The national average for car insurance is $148 a month. When you factor in the lower cost of fuel, maintenance, and additional rebates, it isn’t much of a consideration.

You can expect premiums to lower in cost eventually. As technology progresses, the cost of EVs is going to go down. This will lead to lower insurance policy costs as premiums will fall.

1. They’re Older Than Conventional Cars

Gottlieb Daimler invented what can be seen as the precursor to the modern internal combustion engine in 1885. He would go on to develop the four-stroke motor, which was patented in 1889. His contemporary, Carl Benz, would receive the first patent for a gasoline-powered motor in 1886. Electric vehicles go further back in the 19th century, with Robert Anderson’s motorized carriage debuting in 1832. It was primarily seen as a novelty but would lead to more significant developments.

Rechargeable batteries came about in 1859, and Thomas Parker built the first EV in 1884. Despite being older than conventional cars, EVs have taken almost 200 years to gain traction.

Breaking EV News

June 8, 2023 — General Motors (GM) announced that at the start of 2024 GM electric vehicles (EVs) will be able to use an adaptor to charge at 12,000 of Tesla’s 17,000 charging stations. Ford previously made a similar move and, starting in 2025, both General Motors and Ford EVs will feature Tesla’s North American Charging Standard connector.

Per GM’s Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra, “This collaboration is a key part of our strategy and an important next step in quickly expanding access to fast chargers for our customers. Not only will it help make the transition to electric vehicles more seamless for our customers, but it could help move the industry toward a single North American charging standard.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Are EVs faster than gas cars?

As with any vehicle, it really depends on which vehicles you’re comparing. You might find the EV’s acceleration faster depending on comparable models.

Do I have to charge an EV at home?

Not at all, you can use public charging infrastructure if it is widely available.

Are hybrids more fuel efficient than EVs?

A plug-in hybrid vehicle is less fuel efficient than a purpose-built EV.

Are EVs more expensive than gasoline powered cars?

They can be. It really depends on what you’re looking at, however. A Chevy Bolt, for example, can cost less than other comparable hatchback vehicles.

Are all EVs self-driving?

Not all EVs are self-driving. Tesla and a few others have autonomous driving capabilities, but it isn’t widespread yet.

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