When you picture the future, what do you think of? Many of us imagine flying cars, robots, space shuttles, holograms, and more. In many ways, the future is already here! The internet, for one thing, has made a drastic impact on our world. What is not talked about so much, although, is the invention of the electric car!
Our school parking lot is rapidly filling up with electric vehicles. My friends and I will sometimes keep track of the number of Teslas we see on the way to school, and we all can count almost a dozen! Even my brother is obsessed with Teslas and owns one himself. When given the choice between an electric and gas powered car, Emily Dai (10) stated, “I would prefer to buy an electric car because they are less expensive over time due to lower maintenance, repair, and fuel costs.” Everywhere you go, you’ll see at least one electric car; it’s to the point where we’re surrounded! So why are these cars so popular? Are they worth it?
As said in an article on the Reuters website, our governor has recently passed a law stating that all new vehicles sold in California must have zero-emmission by 2035. This has definitely added to the electric car craze, as car manufacturers have already started to create electric versions of their most popular vehicles.
But what’s the reason so many people are purchasing these cars? For one thing, electric cars are known to have better performance than gas powered vehicles. They are very light weight and sleek, creating faster acceleration. Regenerative breaking is also a common feature in electric cars. Regen braking charges a car’s battery by automatically pressing the brake when you let go of the gas. This allows you to go farther distances without paying as much for charging. It’s a very cool feature!
Additionally, you can install a charger for your electric car in your own home. This saves you the hassle of having to go to a charging station, which is not possible with a gas car. You can install different levels of charging in your home, some being faster and more powerful than others. Oftentimes, people will charge their cars overnight so that they are ready for their morning commute. Very useful!
Specifically to Teslas, there are many benefits! As the most popular of the electric cars, Teslas have developed a lot over the years. They are known for being very user friendly, having a simplistic and comfortable design that elevates the driving experience. With their advanced self-driving feature, Teslas will allow you a break if you need a little time away from the wheel. Make sure to pay close attention to the road though! Teslas also have their own charging stations that cars from other brands are unable to use. This creates less competition for the charger and more convenience for the driver!
Although electric cars come with many benefits, they also have their downfalls. Pricing is a common factor that pushes people away from electric cars. They are usually much more expensive than gas cars, and have high car payments. According to The Zebra, on average, it costs about $66,997 dollars to buy an electric car in the United States, but only $33,797 for its gasoline alternative. Pricing can definitely be a deal breaker!
Another disadvantage to electric cars is the whole charging situation. Although charging times have definitely improved over the years, you should still expect a wait for your car to recharge. Electric cars are usually not able to travel as far as gas cars without stopping to get some power, and take longer than gas cars to fill up. Not to mention that charging spots are limited, especially if you have an electric car other than a Tesla. I’ve heard stories from my aunt about her experiences waiting for a charging spot to open up, and some people are definitely not friendly about it. People claimed that they were in line first or cut to the front of the line, taking the spot of someone who had already waited an hour. Make sure to be patient!
Lastly is a fact that never seems to be talked about with electric car owners. Although electric cars are known to be environmentally friendly, many do not know that battery production has a terrible impact on our surroundings. As mentioned in an article by the U.S. News and World Report, materials used for the battery making process tend to come from lesser developed countries, where people do not have as many rights. The process of mining and refining materials for batteries is also very destructive to the environment. Technology hasn’t been developed to recycle old electric car batteries, so most are trashed and deserted. Make sure to do lots of research before buying an electric car!
To wrap up, buying any car is a huge decision! There are a lot of steps to the process, and I hope this article helped to provide more information for you. Whatever car you decide to buy, make sure you are happy with your decision. I’m excited to see what other technology the future will bring!
