Electric and hybrid cars have become increasingly prominent on our roads over the last decade. Environmentally-friendly, with zero harmful pollutants being released into the atmosphere, consumers have grown to appreciate the advantage of electric cars. However, electric car ownership is not without its drawbacks. Here is a brief overview of the disadvantages of electric cars.
Electric Cars Are Expensive
It may come as somewhat of a surprise but electric cars are expensive to run. The initial financial outlay of any electric car may be substantially more expensive than you may first think, but the general running of the vehicles comes at a premium too.
Electric cars use Lithium-ion batteries. These are expensive to purchase. All battery packs will, more than likely, need to be replaced over the course of your ownership. With a lifespan of approximately 3-4 years, they don’t offer the same level of endurance when compared with petrol engines.
Batteries need to be recharged
As mentioned earlier, batteries don’t last forever. Depending on the amount of time spent driving, they will need to be replaced. Motorists are advised to take some considered planning to ensure that the vehicle doesn’t fail whist driving. Anyone considering purchasing an electric car should make an honest assessment of how much you plan to use the vehicle. If you’re considering making an extended trip, the batteries will need to be fully charged.
Driving Distance Limits
As mentioned earlier, driving distance is one of the principal considerations when purchasing an electric car. Before purchasing an electric car, motorists are advised to consider the amount that they intend to use the vehicle and have an accurate understanding of the amount of miles travelled before the batteries will need to be recharged.
It’s estimated that the average lifespan of an electric car battery is approximately 100 miles on a single charge, however many of us travel further commuting to and from work on a daily basis. The very last eventuality that you want to occur is for the batteries to be drained whilst you’re stuck in a traffic jam on the way to work.
Insufficient Power
The final disadvantage of electric car ownership is that, generally speaking, electric cars suffer from a lack of power and performance. With the exception of the BMW i8 there are no high performance electric vehicles. If its power you’re after, then electric vehicles are not for you.
There are many advantages to electric vehicle ownership however there are a number of disadvantages too. Anyone considering purchasing an electric vehicle should weigh up the pro’s and con’s in order to make an informed decision.
