The Cons of Electric Cars
No analysis of the pros and cons of electric cars would be complete without considering the negative things about EVs. Technology advances have reduced the cons of electric cars considerably, but some do remain.
Longer charging times
You can fuel a gasoline car in minutes but charging your EV will take much longer. If you have access to a fast charger, you can be back on the road in about half an hour. Charging time depends on your battery bank, how depleted your batteries are and the type of charger you are using. A home Level 2 charger is a viable option for faster overnight charging. Unless you only drive a few miles a day, installing a Level 2 EV charger at home is a more convenient option.
Range limitations when driving
Range is a common consideration when weighing the pros and cons of electric vehicles. Limited range was one of the early cons of electric cars. Today’s battery technology, however, can easily handle ranges of 200 miles and up. Given that 98% of on-road passenger trips are under 75 miles, that is an adequate range for most people. The average range for a gasoline car with a full tank is just over 400 miles.
Potentially greater upfront expenses
The last of the negatives of electric cars is the sticker price. EVs are more expensive to buy—costing $2,800 more than gas-powered vehicles on average. With proper battery care and maintenance, you can help balance that major cost. EV prices have also been declining in recent years and are on track to match the prices of gas-powered cars as early as 2026.
Additionally, there could be rebates and incentives available at the local, state, and utility, levels that make owning an EV more affordable—sometimes even more affordable than a gas-powered vehicle. You can compare EV ownership costs to see how much you stand to save by owning an electric car.
The cost to power your vehicle is another area where you may be able to save money. Fuel costs represents 10-40% of the lifecycle cost of a car. If you can lock in a low rate for electricity, you can trim the cost of owning and operating your EV. Gain the advantage in the electric cars pros and cons balance by getting an EV charging plan that offers lower-cost electricity for charging your car. Our plans are currently only available in Texas, but you can check back soon or join our waitlist to be notified when EV plans from Constellation are available in your city or state.
The Pros of Electric Cars
In considering the pros and cons of electric cars, let's start with the positives. As technology matures, EVs offer more advantages with fewer disadvantages.
Energy efficiency
Using less energy to perform the same amount of work means you are using energy more efficiently. One of the strongest advantages of electric vehicles is their energy efficiency. The typical EV converts 77% of energy consumed to power the car. Gasoline cars only use 12-30% of the energy of the gasoline burned to power the car. The rest dissipates as heat.
Improved power
Unlike gasoline engines, EVs deliver power to your wheels more quickly. EV engines are simple and don’t need to cycle through gears to get up to speed. Many EV models can go from zero to mph in under seconds, with some accelerating to speed in two seconds.
Clean energy usage
Your EV is not spewing pollutants from its tailpipe. In fact, it does not even have a tailpipe. A gas vehicle emits 8,887 grams of carbon dioxide for every gallon of gasoline burned. Even if you charge your EV with electricity generated from fossil fuels, you are emitting a third less CO2 than a gasoline vehicle getting 32 miles per gallon. You can use this Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator to compare your current car to an EV.
Easier maintenance
Among the electric car pros and cons are the issues around maintenance. Here, EVs tend to have the edge. The motor and electronics are simpler, with fewer moving parts, thus requiring little-to-no maintenance. Your primary concern will be caring for your battery bank.
Keep your charge level above 10%, ideally above 50% as much as possible, and do not charge it above 90%. You will also need to take care that your batteries do not freeze and that you don’t charge your EV while temperatures are below freezing. Storing your EV in a temperature-controlled garage and using a Level 2 home charger can help you avoid extreme cold and achieve faster charging times without needing to use a public charging station.
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